Friday, 18 June 2010

Swiss Please: Spain 0-1 Switzerland 16/6/10


Spain line-up:Casillas (c), Pique, Puyol, Iniesta (Pedro, 77'), Villa, Xavi, Capdevila, Alonso, Ramos, Busquets (Torres, 61'), Silva (Navas, 62')
Switzerland lie-up: Benaglio, Lichsteiner, Senderos (Von Bergen, 36'), Huggel, Barnetta (Eggimann, 92'), Inler (c), Nkufo, Grichting, Fernandes, Ziegler, Derdiyok (Yakin, 79')

If North Korea proved the surprise package of the first round of group games then Switzerland most definitely provided the shock result of the first result of the group which puts Spain under some pressure. As predicted Spain dominated the game as Switzerland were made to chase a close down the Spanish players. However despite most of the possession, Spain failed to create any real clear cut chances and Benaglio only really had to make one decent save against Iniesta. Switzerland's only chance was a Ziegler free-kick which was on target but easy enough for Casillas.

The second half produced the same pattern as Spain looked to find that killer pass to create the opener. It didn't materialise and Switzerland caught Spain on the break thanks to a route one ball found Derdiyok. Casillas came out and blocked his shot but it rebounded of the oncoming Fernandes and Switzerland were surprisingly 1-0 ahead. This angered the Spanish players who now made better use of the ball in attack and produced much better chances. The introduction of both Torres and Navas upped the Spanish ante and they started to torment the Swiss defence. They stayed strong however and more decent saves form Benaglio ensured that Spain were kept at bay and Switzerland toppled the European favourites, blowing this group wide open.

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