Coach Murat Yakin experimented unsuccessfully in the last group game of the Nations League, which was of no sporting significance. Switzerland lost 2:3 against Spain and ended the fall without a win.
Twice the Swiss team had some hope of snatching a point from the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez. In the 63rd minute, Joël Monteiro, who had come on as a substitute at the break, broke through and scored his first goal in his fourth appearance for the Swiss national team with a well-directed low shot. And after falling behind again, Andi Zeqiri scored the next goal. The striker scored from the penalty spot in the 85th minute to make it 2:2.
However, the Spaniards were not satisfied with the one point. They wanted to give the frenetic crowd, who had had to wait 28 years for another Spanish international match to be played in Tenerife, a victory. And indeed they did: in stoppage time, the referee again pointed to the penalty spot - for the second time in the Swiss penalty area, after Mvogo had saved Pedri's attempt in the first half and Yeremi Pino had made it 1:0 in the follow-up. Bryan Zaragoza made the most of the chance and drew cheers from the crowd.
It was a spectacular finish to a wild game, especially in the second half. Spain celebrated a 3:2 victory, which was particularly significant for the fans. From a sporting point of view, the outcome of the final match was not of great value.
Many changes to the starting line-up
This was already evident in the line-ups. Spain changed their entire team compared to the match against Denmark on Friday. For the Swiss, coach Murat Yakin started with a quartet that had hardly had a chance to show what they were made of. Miro Muheim made his national team debut at left-back, making him the second player in the Swiss starting eleven to play in a second division alongside Mvogo.
Behind striker Zeki Amdouni, Filip Ugrinic (previously 3 partial appearances in the national team), Simon Sohm (1) and Dereck Kutesa (2) lined up. They were all in the starting line-up for the first time as national team players. This was obvious, as the offense remained pale for a long time. This was also due to the fact that the Spaniards still have world-class players at their disposal, even when their second string is deployed. Sohm, who plays for Parma, slipped in the only Swiss chance worth mentioning in the first half.
Monteiro draws attention to himself
In the second half, caution was increasingly thrown overboard and a back-and-forth developed towards the end. Monteiro wrote a nice story with his 1:1. The YB attacker had only received his Swiss passport shortly before the European Championship in Germany, but was not called up for the tournament after a brief guest appearance in the training camp. He has now shown that he can be an attacking option in the future.
However, Monteiro was also at the center of attention when the Spaniards regained the lead just five minutes later. Bryan Gil benefited from a coordination problem between Monteiro and Remo Freuler and, like the Swiss player before him, thumped the ball into the net. The game then ended with two penalties.
After a largely unpleasant Nations League fall, the national team now faces an extended break. It will resume in March next year, when Switzerland is expected to take part in the World Cup qualifiers for the first time. The groups will be drawn in Zurich on December 13.
Comments on the game
The telegram
Spain - Switzerland 3:2 (1:0)
Tenerife. - 21'204 spectators. - SR Dankert (GER). -
Goals: 32. Pino 1:0. 63. Monteiro (Sierro) 1:1. 68. Gil 2:1. 85. Zeqiri (penalty) 2:2. 93. Zaragoza (penalty) 3:2.
Spain: Remiro (46. Sanchez); Mingueza, Paredes, Cubarsi, Grimaldo; Ruiz, Casado; Pino (69. Zaragoza), Pedri (79. Barrios), Williams (60. Gil); Morata (46. Omorodion).
Switzerland: Mvogo; Fernandes, Cömert, Rodriguez, Muheim; Freuler, Xhaka (60. Sierro); Ugrinic (46. Monteiro), Sohm (60. Rieder), Kutesa (72. Okafor); Amdouni (46. Zeqiri).
Comments: Switzerland without Embolo (suspended), Jashari (ill), Akanji, Amenda, Elvedi, Ndoye, Zakaria (all injured), among others. Spain without Oyarzabal (suspended), Carvajal, Le Normand, Rodri, Torres, Yamal (all injured/not in the squad). 32nd Mvogo saves Pedri's penalty. Cautions: 62 for Pino, 81 for Cömert (suspended for next match), 84 for Zaragoza.
The live ticker to review
Spain
Switzerland
- Yéremi Pino - 1:0 (32.)
- Bryan Gil - 2:1 (68.)
- Bryan Zaragoza - 3:2 (90.+3.)
- (63.) 1:1 - Joël Monteiro
- (85.) 2:2 - Andi Zeqiri
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Liveticker
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Liveticker closed
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96.
Switzerland lose 3-2 in Spain at the end of the Nations League
A penalty converted by Bryan Zaragoza in the 93rd minute denied Switzerland a conciliatory end to the season. Before that, Andi Zeqiri had equalized twice with a converted penalty in the 85th minute and Joel Monteiro with a beautiful individual action after an hour.
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93.
Bryan scores to make it 3:2
Bryan Zaragoza scores to give Spain a probable win against Switzerland
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92.
Penalty for Spain
No such thing. This time Vincent Sierro is at fault for a penalty. There's nothing to argue about this time either. The Swiss player is far away from the ball.
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90.
Four minutes left
Four minutes of stoppage time remain. After that, the Swiss national team's year is over.
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88.
Cömert once again strong
The bright spot in defense is definitely Eray Cömert. Once again, it's his superb tackle that wins the ball.
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85.
Zeqiri keeps his cool and scores to make it 2:2
Switzerland are back in the game. Andi Zeqiri grabs the ball and pushes it into the right corner.
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84.
Penalty for Switzerland
Sierro is hit on the foot by Fabian Ruiz and is awarded the penalty. The chance for Switzerland to equalize for a second time.
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83.
Rieder fails to beat Sanchez
Once again the best Swiss player, Joel Monteiro, makes a strong run. He passes to Fabian Rieder, whose long-range shot is saved by Sanchez without any major problems.
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80.
Cömert sees yellow
The central defender is always committed today. This time he is a little too forceful and receives a yellow card for his tackle.
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75.
Okafor with a taste
Noah Okafor, who has also come on as a substitute, shines with a beautiful dribble. However, his finish is far too poorly placed and therefore harmless.
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71.
Mvogo on the spot once again
The Spaniards are now dominating at will. Once again it is Mvogo who saves the Swiss defense from conceding another goal with a strong save.
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68.
Gil puts Spain ahead again
Spain take the lead again. The Swiss lose the ball in their own penalty area. Monteiro, Freuler and Cömert all cut a poor figure and in the end it was Bryan Gil who thanked them and scored to give Spain a 2-1 lead.
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63.
Monteiro scores after a dream solo
The Swiss equalizer is a fact! What a move by Monteiro! First the Swiss player leaves Leverkusen full-back Grimaldo standing, then he beats Paredes. Finally he scores with his last ounce of strength between the legs of Sanchez to make it 1-1.
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62.
Pino receives his first card
The goalscorer only knows how to help himself against Kutesa with a foul and is shown a yellow card. It's the first card of the game.
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61.
Xhaka and Sohm leave the field
Vincent Sierro and Fabian Rieder come on.
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59.
Spain beautifully
The Spaniards combine through the Swiss midfield and defense, it's a pleasure to watch. In the end, Yvon Mvogo is once again the final destination.
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57.
Mvogo saves from Ruiz
Yvon Mvogo makes another excellent save. Fabian Ruiz gets his shot away from a good position, but his aim is too central and therefore no problem for Mvogo.
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55.
The game flattens out a little
The game has now lost a little of its tempo. However, this is mainly down to the Spaniards, who have shifted down a gear.
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49.
Monteiro misses the big chance
There it is, the huge chance for the Swiss to equalize. Monteiro, who came on as a substitute at the break, makes a strong run and Switzerland suddenly find themselves in a 2-on-1 situation. However, Zeqiri does not choose the best route in the middle, so Monteiro has to go it alone and puts the ball next to the goal.
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46.
Double substitution for Switzerland
Joel Monteiro comes on for Filip Ugrinic and Andi Zeqiri replaces Zeki Amdouni.
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45.
Half-time in Tenerife
European champions Spain take a deserved 1-0 lead into the break.
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44.
Switzerland's best attack
Switzerland's best attack so far. Muheim returns from the baseline, but Sohm slips in the middle at the stupidest moment and is therefore unable to finish.
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40.
Casado from distance
The defensive midfielder tries a shot from 25 meters - but the ball misses the goal by two meters.
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38.
Deserved lead
Spain's lead is well deserved. Switzerland, on the other hand, have not yet been able to show much in attack.
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34.
Pedri is down
Suddenly, wonderkid Pedri is down. The replay shows that Amdouni has stepped on his knee. After a few anxious seconds, Pedri gets up and can continue playing.
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32.
Pino gives Spain the lead
Mvogo saves Pedri's penalty, but the ball remains dangerous. Freuler is able to block Williams' follow-up shot on the line, but the ball bounces to Pino, who smashes the ball into the net with no sense of humor.
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31.
Penalty for Spain
Morata does an outstanding job against Cömert and leaves the Swiss player standing like a schoolboy. Rodriguez comes rushing in and brings the Spaniard down. No discussion, it's a penalty.
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27.
Morata fails to beat Mvogo from offside
Suddenly Alvaro Morata is alone in front of Yvon Mvogo. But the Swiss keeper makes a strong save. Then the flag goes up. Once again, offside king Alvaro Morata is in the forbidden zone.
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25.
Xhaka saves himself
The Switzerland captain loses the ball in his own penalty area and the situation becomes dangerous, but it is Xhaka himself who makes up for the mistake with good positioning.
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23.
Mvogo saves from Grimaldo
Alejandro Grimaldo is Granit Xhaka's team-mate at Leverkusen. Against Switzerland, the left-back is the first to force Yvon Mvogo into a save. The Kobel replacement is able to clear the long-range shot for a corner.
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20.
Good Swiss performance
Even though there is nothing at stake today, it can be said that the national team have put in a good performance so far. There could hardly be a more difficult task than playing the European champions away from home. Even if the Spaniards are also testing one or two players.
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16.
Cömert ahead of Morata
The Spaniards combine into the Swiss penalty area. But Cömert makes a good save there and is able to clear for a corner.
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12.
Sohm makes his presence felt
Switzerland launch an attack through Simon Sohm. The Parma midfielder plays with great pace and wit. The Swiss are unable to get a shot on target, but Sohm's action is pleasing. At the other end, Nico Williams makes his first appearance, but his shot goes over the bar.
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10.
Scary moment for Mvogo
The Swiss goalkeeper lets a sharp cross drop short, but manages to get the ball back.
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8.
Spain pile on the pressure
Spain now put Switzerland under increased pressure as they build up play and are successful. The Spaniards quickly regain possession.
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4.
Mingueza over the goal
After a corner for Spain, Oscar Mingueza gets his first shot of the game. But the full-back's header goes over the goal.
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3.
Swiss pressing
Right from the start, the Swiss team put on a consistent offensive pressing display, but the Spaniards were able to break free playfully. The quality of the passing from the European champions to break free from the clutches is impressive.
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1.
First corner
Switzerland take their first corner and it actually becomes dangerous. But in the end, no one gets a shot on target and the Spaniards are able to clear.
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0.
The starting eleven against Spain
Murat Yakin makes a total of five changes from the game against Serbia. Yvon Mvogo will be in goal, Miro Muheim will make his senior debut in defense and Simon Sohm and Filip Ugrinic will play in midfield. Dereck Kutesa gets a chance in attack.
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0.
The starting eleven of the Spaniards
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0.
Andreas Böni: "Yakin can try out for the last time against Spain"
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0.
The opponent is the European champion
Spain is not just any team. They are the European champions and defending Nations League champions. They don't need any extra motivation against an opponent of this caliber. And even if the Spaniards - in contrast to the clash in Geneva in September - are missing key players such as Robin Le Normand, Dani Carvajal, Lamine Yamal and Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, a Swiss point in Tenerife would at least be a prestigious success. They could leave League A of the Nations League with their heads held high.
The Swiss have proven time and again in the past that they can challenge the Spaniards. Their last victory was only two years ago. It was also in the Nations League and also away from home. Switzerland won 2:1 in Zaragoza.
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0.
Cömert: "Wants to become part of the team"
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0.
Cömert: "Want to show a reaction"
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0.
Contini: "We have to set ourselves ambitious goals"
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0.
Neuville: "Would have played for Switzerland"
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90.+8.End of 2nd half
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90.+3.Goal for Spain, 3:2 through penalties from Bryan Zaragoza
Bryan Zaragoza
Midfielder
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85.Goal for Switzerland, 2:2 through penalties from Andi Zeqiri
Andi Zeqiri
Striker
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84.Yellow card Spain
Bryan Zaragoza
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81.Yellow card Switzerland
Eray Cömert
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79.Substitution in Spain
Pablo Barrios
Midfielder
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79.Substitution out Spain
Pedri
Midfielder
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72.Substitution in Switzerland
Noah Okafor
Striker
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72.Substitution out Switzerland
Dereck Kutesa
Midfielder
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69.Substitution in Spain
Bryan Zaragoza
Midfielder
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69.Substitution out Spain
Yéremi Pino
Midfielder
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68.Goal for Spain, 2:1 through Bryan Gil
Bryan Gil
Striker
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63.Goal for Switzerland, 1:1 through Joël Monteiro (Vincent Sierro)
Joël Monteiro
Striker
Assist: Vincent Sierro
Midfielder
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62.Yellow card Spain
Yéremi Pino
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60.Substitution in Switzerland
Vincent Sierro
Midfielder
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60.Substitution out Switzerland
Granit Xhaka
Midfielder
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60.Substitution in Switzerland
Fabian Rieder
Striker
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60.Substitution out Switzerland
Simon Sohm
Midfielder
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60.Substitution in Spain
Bryan Gil
Striker
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60.Substitution out Spain
Nico Williams
Midfielder
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46.Substitution in Spain
Robert Sánchez
Goalkeeper
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46.Substitution out Spain
Alex Remiro
Goalkeeper
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46.Substitution in Spain
Samuel Omorodion
Striker
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46.Substitution out Spain
Álvaro Morata
Striker
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46.Substitution in Switzerland
Andi Zeqiri
Striker
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46.Substitution out Switzerland
Zeki Amdouni
Striker
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46.Substitution in Switzerland
Joël Monteiro
Striker
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46.Substitution out Switzerland
Filip Ugrinic
Midfielder
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46.Kick-off 2nd half
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45.+2.End of 1st half
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32.Goal for Spain, 1:0 through Yéremi Pino
Yéremi Pino
Midfielder
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32.Spain misses penalty
Pedri
Midfielder
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1.Start of the match
