Spain added its first victory in this edition of the UEFA Nations League against Swiss (0-1) and recover their options to aspire to the leadership that gives access to the Final Four. With the victory of Portugal, the Portuguese are leaderswith two points more than the Red, and everything indicates that the outcome will be a heads up between both teams.
A solitary goal from Sarabia was enough in a match in which a Spanish team was seen that recovered its signs of identity as the pressure, with an omnipresent Gavi, and had control. He lacked the same as usual, having more punch to capture his superiority on the scoreboard.
Luis Enrique recovered his spine, with which he already faced Portugal in Seville. Unai Simón, Gavi and Sarabia remained the only three starting players in the three games this window international and this meant the return of heavyweights, such as Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Spain also had Morata and Ferran Torres up front, who stand out for their ability to press. Being the first defenders, something basic for Lucho and that was not seen in Prague with the rotations.
Ferran recovers and goal
La Roja pressed from the start and in a recovery of Ferran came the goal that opened the scoring. Marcos Llorente, the main novelty as an inside player, followed the play and crossed so that Sarabia scored in the mouth of the goal. A bit that had a VAR reviewbut the Spanish striker was online at the time of the pass.
The Spanish team continued to dominate and bite up front, causing numerous errors to the Swiss. The control was total, although the chances were not lavished either. The second and only one before the break was in a combination between Sarabia and Jordi Alba with a very wide shot from the Sporting Lisbon footballer.
Switzerland only disturbed in a set piece action. Shaqiri, his great specialist, put a golden ball at the head of Embolo, who beat Azpilicueta, but headed wide. The Helvetians shook off the Spanish domain just before halftime, although they did not have time to generate danger.
Control without auction
Switzerland came out with the same intensity at the start. She needed to score as it was to release her point locker in the group. Shaqiri, their best player, proved it with a shot from the edge of the box that Unai Simón easily stopped.
The attacks followed one another, although with little order and Spain looked close to their area, but could resolve situations well. Little by little, the Swiss were losing gas and the team shook off dominance.
An electric action by Marcos Llorente, culminating in a cross shot, came close to scoring the second goaland the selection settled back on the field of play.
With the changes, Spain gained freshness to press up. Gavi and Marcos Llorente, especially, had done a tremendous job on the interiors and it was time to give air with Koke and Carlos Soler.
La Roja deserved the victory, although they reached the last bars with the score tight and the victory was golden. Switzerland dedicated themselves to throwing balls, waiting for some lucky rebound that did not come and the three points went to the national team.
Data sheet:
0 – Switzerland: Sommer; Widmer, Akanji (Frei, m.80), Cömert, Rodríguez (Sow, m.88); Xhaka, Aesbischer (Okafor, d.64); Freuler, Shaqiri (Seferovic, m.80), Zuber (Seteffen, m.64); and plunger.
1 – Spain: Unai Simon; Azpilicueta, Diego Llorente, Pau Torres, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Marcos Llorente (Soler, m.80), Gavi (Koke, m.73); Ferran Torres, Sarabia (Dani Olmo, m.62) and Morata (Marco Asensio, m.73).
Goals: 0-1, m.13: Sarabia.
Referee: Serdar Gozubuyuk (Netherlands). He booked Shaqiri (59), Akanji (65), Seferovic (89) and Sow (91) for Switzerland.
Incidents: Match corresponding to the third day of the League of Nations, played at the Stade Geneva before 25,875 spectators.