It was clear early on Switzerland would need a spectacular defensive effort to beat European champion Spain in their World Cup Group H opener.
In tying the World Cup record for most consecutive shutouts, the Swiss provided just that – and as a result beat the Spaniards for the first time ever.
Goalkeeper Diego Benaglio turned away the Spaniards time and again and midfielder Gelson Fernandes scored in the 52nd minute as Switzerland shocked Spain 1-0 in Durban, South Africa, Wednesday.
Benaglio’s effort was the fifth straight Swiss World Cup shutout, tying the record Italy set in 1990. But more importantly, it was the first victory for the Schweizer Nati over Spain in 19 matches and ties Switzerland with Chile, which it faces Monday, atop Group H. Spain, the second-ranked team in the world, fell for just the second time in its last 50 matches – La Furia last lost to the United States in a 2-0 stunner at last summer’s Confederations Cup in South Africa. The Spaniards saw their 12-game winning streak snapped.
The Spaniards dominated offensive play even without Fernando Torres starting – they controlled possession 74 percent of the game and outshot Switzerland 25-9. In the first half, Benaglio gathered in Andres Iniesta’s 21st-minute shot after Fernandes deflected it, and came out to stifle an open Gerard Pique in the box three minutes later.
David Villa saw his 31st-minute free kick from the top of the box get blocked and then chipped a ball past an open goal from in close in the 45th minute, leading to a scoreless tie at halftime.
A bit of chaotic play in the 52nd minute gave the Swiss the lead. Eren Derdiyok took a long goal kick upfield, passed off and got a return ball. Approaching the goal inside the box, he was taken out feet-first by Spanish keeper Iker Casillas. But Casillas and Pique couldn’t corral the loose ball, and Fernandes finished into what was basically an open net.
The trailing Spaniards then brought in Torres and began to pepper the Swiss side, looking for the equalizer. Sergio Ramos’s 60th-minute header off a Xavi cross was just high and Benaglio stonewalled Villa near the top of the box one minute later.
Iniesta pulled a shot wide right in the 63rd minute, Torres hooked a shot harmlessly high and away to the right in the 68th and Alonso struck the crossbar on a long line-drive strike in the 70th minute for perhaps Spain’s closest near-miss.
Two minutes later, Benaglio stopped Jesus Navas in the box before Switzerland nearly doubled its lead, but Derdiyok, who had beaten three men into the center of the box, tapped his shot squarely off the near post in the 74th minute.
Navas missed off the left post in the 77th minute and Torres headed a ball over the bar n the 85th. Finally, near the end of five minutes of stoppage time, Xavi airmailed a last-ditch effort, sealing Spain’s fate.
Spain, which entered the tournament as a favorite, now faces an uphill battle in its quest for its first world title. La Roja takes on Honduras Monday. Chile beat Honduras 1-0 Wednesday – its first World Cup win in 48 years – in other Group H action.
NOTES: The side that scores first is 10-0-4 in this World Cup. … Switzerland was 0-2-1 in its last three matches coming in. … Spain had won seven straight group matches, dating back to a 0-0 draw with Uruguay in the 1998 World Cup. … Torres, Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas were all limited with right leg injuries. Iniesta left after tumbling on a tackle in the 77th minute and Fabregas did not play. … The Swiss were without captain and all-time goal leader Alexander Frei and Valon Behrami, due to ankle and thigh injuries, respectively.
Photo above: Switzerland's Gelson Fernandes moves past Spain's Xavi (8) during their match Wednesday. (Julie Jacobson/AP)
Video credit – ESPN
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