Switzerland stun Spain

The goal was scored by Gelson Fernandes.

Switzerland caused one of the great World Cup shocks, defeating European champions and competition favourites Spain.

It was a grim defensive performance by the Swiss, who were magnificent around their own goal throughout and hit their opponents with a classic sucker-punch through Gelson Fernandes in the second half. La Furia Roja were not without a threat, but Xabi Alonso’s thumping shot off the bar was as close as they got.

Spain, meanwhile, continued to show patience. David Silva and Andres Iniesta both had fairly tame shots saved by Diego Benaglio, while Sergio Ramos, who bombed forward regularly down the right in his characteristic style, dodged away from Reto Ziegler but sliced into the side-netting from a tight angle when there were better options open in the centre.

When a set play quickly broke down, an incisive pass from Iniesta found Gerard Pique in room 12 yards from goal. Having taken a neat first touch, the big centre-back, who displayed proficiency in such situations in the Champions League against Inter, found Benaglio too great an obstacle to beat.

After the interval there was additional intent from Spain. Alonso was the most prominent of those in red shirts who had efforts in the opening ten minutes of the second period, which was characterised by a series of short corners that created intense pressure on the Swiss goal.

Something had to give, but incredibly it gave in front of the Spanish goal. Eren Derdiyok showed great tenacity when chasing a hopeful ball forward, gained a fortuitous bounce and touched the ball round the advancing Casillas. What followed was a brief but mad scramble six yards from the line that left Pique bloodied, but the goal stood as Gelson push the ball into the empty net.

In the minutes following the goal, Jesus Navas and Fernando Torres were introduced, giving La Furia Roja an even more attacking dynamic. Benaglio was quickly from his line to thwart Xavi, Iniesta bent a shot tantalizingly wide of the post and Torres also went close as the European champions sought a quick leveller.

Switzerland nearly nicked a second goal on the break when Blaise Nkufo combined with Derdiyok. The forward neatly stepped inside one challenge as he broke into the box, but his clever outside of the foot finish hit the post after leaving Casillas flat-footed.

Otherwise the pressure on the Swiss goal in the closing stages of the match was intense, yet the defence, which was brilliantly marshalled by Stephane Grichting throughout, held firm for a famous victory.

This was the most unlikely of successes for the Schweizer Nati, who had been in miserable form prior to this encounter. Spain, who were by no means poor, suffered just their second defeat in 49 matches and will doubtless have to field questions once again about their ‘World Cup bottle’.