70 minutes outnumbered is not enough The national team loses 4:1 to European champions Spain

Tobias Benz

8.9.2024

Hanging heads at the Swiss national team after the bitter defeat against Spain.
Keystone

After the defeat against Denmark, the Swiss national team loses to Spain 1:4, leaving Switzerland with its back to the wall in the Nations League after two match days.

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Switzerland also loses its second game in the Nations League. In Geneva, they suffered a 1:4 defeat against European champions Spain.
In the 41st minute, Amdouni scored the equalizer to make it 1-2. At this point, Switzerland had already been outnumbered for around 20 minutes.
In the second half, Switzerland pressed for the equalizer for a long time, but failed to create enough clear-cut chances and were then caught out twice.
With zero points after two games, Switzerland are now under pressure. The next games will take place on October 12 in Serbia and on October 15 against Denmark.

Switzerland lost their first Nations League home game against European champions Spain 1:4 despite being outnumbered for a long time. Zeki Amdouni scored the Swiss goal in Geneva to make it 1:2 shortly before the break.

Switzerland failed to score in their first Nations League match. Three days after their defeat in Denmark, they did a lot to at least draw against Spain after going 2-0 down early on. In their best phase, Zeki Amdouni scored the equalizer in the 41st minute. At this point, Switzerland had been playing in superior numbers for some time. Spain defender Robin Le Normand had been shown the red card after a last-man foul on Breel Embolo (21').

The courage of the Swiss, including that of national coach Murat Yakin, who strengthened the attack in the final half hour, was not rewarded. Fabian Ruiz (77'), who had already made it 2-0, and Ferran Torres (80') made it clear with two simple attacks against the exposed Swiss defense.

Too many bad phases

Switzerland had not defended consistently enough in the opening quarter of an hour. Lamine Yamal was decisive twice. The 17-year-old first got the better of Remo Freuler in the 4th minute and his cross found the head of Joselu, the replacement for the injured Alvaro Morata. The former Real Madrid striker beat Gregory Wüthrich in a header duel. Yamal's second decisive move made it 2-0 just under ten minutes later. After Michel Aebischer lost the ball, he launched a counter-attack that Fabian Ruiz finished off.

Wüthrich loses the header duel before the Spaniards' first goal.
Keystone

After that, the game developed very differently than one might have expected. There was hardly anything to be seen of the Spaniards in attack until the two goals in the final quarter of an hour. Switzerland were superior against the European champions, who were soon down to ten players. In pouring rain and on an unsightly pitch, they had a lot of possession, but hardly any scoring chances after the break. There were too many misplaced passes in the attacks.

The strong minutes before the break

Switzerland were shorthanded and this was noticeable in the poorer phases. In addition to the absences of the suspended Granit Xhaka and Nico Elvedi, Murat Yakin also had to make changes at right-back after Silvan Widmer was injured in the warm-up. Becir Omeragic came on in his place and almost made the perfect debut. His goal in the 7th minute, shortly after the 0:1, was disallowed due to a previous handball by Remo Freuler.

Granit Xhaka missed the game through suspension.
Keystone

Despite the lack of regular players, the Swiss had great ambitions. As the national coach had announced, the SFA team tried to be on the ball as often as possible against the European champions in the sold-out Geneva stadium. They did this really well in the first half when outnumbered. After Le Normand was sent off, Embolo and Co. kept the Spaniards busy in defense.

Ruben Vargas dribbled free on his side against Yamal and Dani Carvajal time and again and sent ball after ball dangerously into the penalty area. He was also the one who took the corner kick in the 41st minute that led to Amdouni's 8th goal in his 21st international match. The new Benfica Lisbon striker, who was unable to play a major role at the European Championships, proved his goal-scoring qualities. Embolo was also convincing until he and the rest of the team ran out of ideas and probably also a bit of energy from the 50th minute onwards.

With zero points after two games, Switzerland are now under pressure. The next games will take place on October 12 in Serbia and on October 15 against Denmark.

Comments on the game

The live ticker to read afterwards

Switzerland

Completed

1:4

(1:2)

Spain

Zeki Amdouni - 1:2 (41.)

(4.) 0:1 - Joselu
(13.) 0:2 - Fabián Ruiz
(77.) 1:3 - Fabián Ruiz
(80.) 1:4 - Ferran Torres

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Lineups
Substitutions
Statistics

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END

Switzerland lose 1:4 against Spain

Switzerland lose their first Nations League home game against European champions Spain 1:4 despite being outnumbered for a long time. Zeki Amdouni scored the Swiss goal in Geneva to make it 1:2 shortly before the break.

90.+3

Free kick for Switzerland

Amdouni is fouled outside the sixteen. One last good chance for a Swiss goal. The wall clears for a corner, but it is not taken. The referee blows his whistle.

85.

Change for Switzerland

Steffen comes on for Vargas for the last few minutes. It's all about damage limitation.

81.

Change for Spain

Fabian Ruiz makes way for Garcia.

80.

Ferran Torres makes it 4:1

Ferran Torres once again gets the better of the pitiful Omeragic to make it 4:1. Even the boldest optimists can no longer believe that Switzerland will win a point.

77.

Fabian Ruiz makes it 3:1 for Spain

Goalkeeper Raya opens the scoring with a long ball to Ferran Torres, who cuts off Omeragic and passes to the middle, where he finds Fabian Ruiz, who scores his second goal and stabs Switzerland in the heart.

76.

Double substitution for Switzerland

Debutant Monteiro and Duah come on for Aebischer and Embolo.

71.

Carvajal receives an arm to the face

Carvajal runs into Freuler from behind and gets his arm slapped in the face. There is no sign of intent and the pain is probably not quite as great as the Spaniard's theatrical behavior would have the world believe.

69.

Torres and Carvajal see yellow

Torres and Carvajal tackle Aebischer and both are shown a yellow card.

65.

Vargas celebrates an anniversary - and more?

Vargas is playing his 50th international match today. It would be nice to congratulate him on a point or a win after the game. And it wouldn't be surprising if he had his feet in the game. Because Vargas plays a strong game.

Glückwunsch zum 50.Länderspiel, Ruben 👏
Félicitations pour ta 50e sélection avec la Nati, Ruben!
Congratulazioni per la tua 50a presenza in maglia rossocrociata, Ruben!#natimiteuch #lanatiavecvous #lanaticonvoi #lanaticunvus pic.twitter.com/EbKWKXUFVO
— 🇨🇭 Nati (@nati_sfv_asf) September 8, 2024

64.

Rieder gets a corner

Sierro passes to Rieder, who gets past his opponent and passes into the box. A Spaniard intervenes but can only clear for a corner. This then poses little danger.

62.

Double substitution for Switzerland

Sierro comes on for Zakaria, Rieder for Rodriguez.

60.

Swiss powerplay

The Swiss are passing the ball back and forth, it feels like they are all around the penalty area. However, the Swiss are still finding it difficult to create dangerous chances.

58.

Double substitution for Spain

Williams and Rodri leave the pitch and are replaced by Pino and Zubimendi. The feared wing-back pairing of Yamal and Williams is no longer on the pitch. The Spaniards seem to be preparing for a defensive battle.

52.

Wüthrich is also cautioned

Wüthrich also receives a yellow card for a foul on Joselu.

52.

Freuler sees yellow

Freuler is not happy with the referee and lets him know. Not a good idea, he gets a yellow card.

51.

Swiss pressing in the pouring rain

It's raining cats and dogs and the already battered pitch is certainly not getting any easier to play on. However, the Swiss made clever use of this in the opening minutes of the second half, putting the Spaniards under a lot of pressure and forcing them into mistakes.

48.

Swiss equalizer does not count

After a corner kick, Amdouni heads the ball into the net to make it 2:2. However, the goal does not count as Vargas' corner appears to have crossed the baseline.

46.

Change for Spain

Yamal makes way for Fernan Torres after the break

46.

Kick-off for the 2nd half

HALF-TIME

Spain lead Switzerland 2:1 at the break

After Spain's early double strike, the Swiss only let their heads drop briefly. In the 20th minute, Embolo got the better of his opponent and could only be stopped with an emergency stop, and Le Normand was shown red. The Spaniards also had a few chances while short-handed, but as the game wore on, the national team increasingly took control of the game and Amdouni's goal was more than deserved. In stoppage time, a handball by Yamal could have resulted in a penalty for Switzerland, but the VAR did not intervene. Everything still seems possible in the second half.

45.+7'

Vargas with another chance

Vargas, again and again Vargas. The winger plays a very strong game and has another chance to score. His shot is too central, however, and is saved by the goalkeeper.

45.+5'

The Swiss claim a penalty

Vargas plays the ball to Yamal's arm from close range and the Swiss immediately claim a penalty. But the VAR does not intervene. The decision could certainly have been different.

45.

Akanji cooks Yamal off

Akanji wins a running duel against Yamal, who puts the ball too far forward. Well done from today's captain.

41.

Amdouni scores to make it 1:2

After a corner, Embolo extends the ball with his head, directly into the feet of the completely free Amdouni. The Benfica Lisbon striker has no problem pushing the ball over the line.

40.

Vargas forces Raya into a brilliant save

Vargas controls a long ball perfectly and then tries a direct shot past the onrushing defender. The shot is perfectly on target, but Raya prevents the Swiss goal with a brilliant save.

38.

The Swiss press

The Swiss have a lot of possession, but are unable to create much danger. Vargas is catching the eye with his dribbles down the left wing, but his crosses are not yet finding their teammates.

31.

Embolo is set up

Amdouni passes a ball directly to Embolo, who is thwarted by a Spaniard who is able to clear for a corner. But that's how it could go.

30.

Kobel with a strong save

Yamal moves into the box from the right and flicks the ball into the far corner with his powerful left foot. Kobel smells a rat and deflects the ball to the side.

28.

Spain make a change

After the red card, the Spanish coach makes a change. Pedri has to make way for Vivian.

25.

Amdouni smashes the free kick against the crossbar

Amdouni curls the free kick over the Spanish wall from around 20 meters, but fails to hit the crossbar. What a game.

20.

Le Normand wrestles Embolo down and sees red

Embolo is held back by Le Normand and brought down, thwarting a clear goalscoring opportunity as the man at the back. The referee does not hesitate and shows the red card. However, this is checked, as Embolo may have started from offside. In this case, the card would be rescinded. But this is not the case, Le Normand leaves the pitch with his head down.

Le Normand is shown the red card for this foul on Embolo.
Keystone

18..

Ruben Vargas sees yellow

Vargas pulls Carvajal and Yamal back and is shown a yellow card.

13.

Fabian Ruiz makes it 2:0

Aebischer and Zakaria seem to be in each other's way, Yamal grabs the ball and launches Williams. He leaves Wüthrich standing, but fails to beat Kobel, who can only deflect the ball forward and the ball lands directly at the feet of Fabian Ruiz, who makes it 2:0.

Fabian Ruiz scores to make it 2:0.
Keystone

Omeragic's goal does not count

Madness, Switzerland have already equalized. And the scorer is Omeragic, who wasn't actually supposed to be in the starting eleven. Standing at the second post, he pushes the ball over the line after a wonderful cross from Embolo. But the referee looks at the whole thing again on the screen and sees a handball by Freuler when the goal is scored. Bitter, bitter!

Goal for Spain

Yamal dances past Freuler in the Swiss penalty area, Aebischer is also unable to prevent the cross to the middle, where Joselu rises higher than Wüthrich and nods in to make it 1:0. Kobel deflects the ball away, but unfortunately behind the line.

Joselu scores early to make it 1:0 for Spain.
Keystone

Kobel has to intervene for the first time

A cross from Aebischer is intercepted by the Spaniards, who switch gears at lightning speed and force Kobel to make his first save.

Kick-off in Geneva

The ball is rolling ...

It will start here shortly

The players are on the pitch. After the anthems, we're off!

#Preview

Omeragic replaces Widmer

After the warm-up, Widmer throws in the towel. Omeragic now plays in his place.

ℹ️ Omeragic ersetzt Widmer (fällt nach dem Warm up angeschlagen aus)

Omeragic remplace Widmer (blessé après l'échauffement)

Omeragic sostituisce Widmer (infortunato durante il riscaldamento) https://t.co/RuenhrxeOL
— 🇨🇭 Nati (@nati_sfv_asf) September 8, 2024

#Preview

The sold-out Stade de Genève fills up

#Preview

Switzerland's line-up

As announced by Yakin, Wüthrich (for Elvedi) and Zakaria (for Xhaka) move into the starting eleven against Spain. There is also a change in attack: Zeki Amdouni comes in on the right in place of Fabian Rieder.

Startelf-Premiere für / Première titularisation pour / Prima da titolare per Gregory Wüthrich

🕘 20:45
📺 SRF 2, RTS 2, RSI La 2 💻 https://t.co/0gYiELnZcu #natimiteuch #lanatiavecvous #lanaticonvoi #lanaticunvus pic.twitter.com/Ut9WElZJbQ
— 🇨🇭 Nati (@nati_sfv_asf) September 8, 2024

#Preview

How European champions Spain will play against the Nati

🚨 OFICIAL | ¡¡ALINEACIÓN CONFIRMADA!!

👥 Estos son los 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗱𝗼𝘀 por Luis de la Fuente para enfrentarnos a Suiza.

💪🏼 ¡¡Queremos los tres puntos!!#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/wvxoWNnmuk
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) September 8, 2024

#Preview

Spain are missing Olmo and Oyarzabal

A look at the Spain squad for the game against Switzerland shows: The Iberians will have to do without their European Championship stars Dani Olmo (FC Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad) and Alvaro Morata (AC MIlan) against the Nati. The absences are due to injury.

#Preview

blue Sport watches the Spain stars train at the Stade de Genève

#Preview

Yakin: "I'm glad I don't have to play against Yamal"

Without Xhaka against European champions Spain, with wonder wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams - not much speaks for the Nati today at the Stade de Genève. Even Murat Yakin raves about the style of play of the two Spanish wingers and admits with regard to the 17-year-old Yamal: "I'm glad I don't have to play against him."

At least the statistics from recent years give us hope. Switzerland is one of the few countries to have a balanced record against Spain since the turn of the millennium. The total of 7 matches resulted in 2 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats.

Unforgettable: Gelson Fernandes scoring Switzerland's goal in a 1-0 victory over the eventual tournament winners at the 2010 World Cup.
Picture: KEYSTONE

#Preview

Rarely has there been so much laughter at a national team press conference

Hopefully the national team will have as much to laugh about after the game against the European champions Spain as Yakin and Zakaria did at the press conference on Saturday. It's wonderful how Zakaria reacts to the captain's irritation (see video below). Click here for the article.

#Preview

Yakin reveals how the Nati dealt with the frustrating game against Denmark

At the media conference ahead of the Spain game on Saturday evening, Murat Yakin reveals who will replace the suspended Granit Xhaka and Nico Elvedi and how Switzerland have dealt with the frustrating defeat against Denmark. Click here for the article.

#Preview

Akanji is Swiss captain against Spain

Murat Yakin gave a quick answer to the captain question on Saturday: "Manuel Akanji". The 29-year-old will wear the captain's armband against Spain on Sunday evening in place of Granit Xhaka.

Xhaka will miss Switzerland's game against the European champions following his red card in Thursday's Denmark match.

90.+4.

End of 2nd half

85.

Substitution in Switzerland