10-man Spain thrash Switzerland as Nations League defense begins

Despite playing up to seventy minutes of Sunday’s fixture with ten men, defending European champions Spain managed to score four goals and beat Switzerland 4-1 in their UEFA Nations League (UNL) Group A4 match-up.

Playing under the Genevan rain, Fabian Ruiz scored a brace against Murat Yakin’s side, who lost to Denmark last Thursday. Switzerland lost 2-0 with ten men on that night, but on Sunday, it was in their favor as Spain was reduced to ten men after 20 minutes when Le Normand was sent off.

Early attacks by Switzerland didn’t yield results as Spain quickly caught on, and just four minutes in, Lamine Yamal got past Remo Freuler to chip the ball to Joselu, who scored the opener irrespective of Greg Kobel’s brave efforts.

An unlucky handball in the buildup meant that immediate response from the hosts, through Bećir Omeragić’s tap-in off Breel Embolo’s effort across the goal, was ruled out by the VAR. 

In the 13th minute of the first half, Fabian Ruiz tapped in from the efforts of Nico Williams, whose shot was spilled by Kobel. It was all good for Luis de la Fuente’s men until Robin Le Normand was red-carded after for bringing down Embolo as the last man.

Zeki Amdouni fired hit the crossbar from the crossbar that followed as Switzerland started dominating after the red card. The resultant corner brought the Swiss goal as Amdouni tapped home Embolo’s header from the corner kick.

Amdouni struck again immediately after the restart for Switzerland, but it didn’t count, and despite having the control of possession during that period, it was the visitors who hit a quick-fire double as David Raya’s long ball to Ferran Torres down the right ended up with a tap in from Fabian Ruiz from the former’s cross into the box. Torres was on hand for a four-goal moments later as he finished off Joselu’s through pass.