Yes, that's right. Switzerland beat one of the tournament's favourites and European champions, Spain. The team that has been labelled as one of the most talented and attacking sides in the competition and the team that has lost only once in 48 games was left frustrated after an inspired Swiss performance.
I, like many people, have been eagerly awaiting Spain's first game and if I'm honest, I probably like most people, thought that Spain would win this without too many problems. I mean, we know that the Swiss can defend...really defend: at the last world cup, they didn't concede one goal and went out of the tournament without doing so (they eventually went out on penalties). But, it just seemed that Spain's attacking prowess and genuine forward talent would win out eventually. Torres and Fabregas were left on the bench, after having only just made recoveries from their various injury problems. Even if they were fit and ready to play though, it would be pretty difficult to find a starting place on that team, especially for Fabregas. Everywhere you look in the Spanish team, there is real experience and talent. I shan't think they'd worry too much, if one of their players got injured as they have good cover everywhere.
If you watched the game you will know that it was virtually all Spain. They had almost all the possession and the chances. They were pressing and pressing all game long, but it was just one move from Switzerland that a) went completely against the run of play and b) shocked the Spaniards into losing for the first time against their European counterparts. In fact, before that Casillas had largely been a spectator, and as for the Spanish defenders, well they spent so much time upfield, that they were probably not expecting what happened at the start of the second half. I know that most people watching probably weren't expecting it either.
As I mentioned before, the Spaniards were totally dominant. They were able to get into a rhythm of short passes, that we know they love to do and do so well, but were just unable to infiltrate an organised and dedicated Swiss defence. To their credit, Ottmar Hitzveld's Switzerland team showed great desire to stand up to the Spanish team and stay alert at all times. Spain had chances and several of them, but again, were unable to find the finish they so badly needed. The game went into half time 0-0 with Spain quite clearly the better of the two. Del Bosque had employed a 4-5-1 system, with the likes of Silva, Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta packed into the midfield and David Villa, as the lone striker up front. Unfortunately for Switzerland, Philippe Senderos was forced off with an injury, and I felt totally gutted for the player, whose father is Spanish, as he limped off the pitch. Watching from the sidelines though, he would have been proud of his team mates.
The second half began the way the first half had ended. Spanish passing, control, chances: in two words - total domination. It was from a long kick launched upfield by the Swiss keeper Benaglio that the Swiss goal was created from. The ball was controlled by Derdiyok who somehow managed to get it to former Man City boy, Gelson Fernandes to finish off a swift move which tore apart the Spanish defence and left Pique and Casillas in a heap. It was as scrappy a goal as I've seen in this tournament and totally undeserved by a team who had spent the vast majority of the game in their own half.
Following the goal Del Bosque sent Torres and Navas on to try and conjure up some magic to get Spain back in the game. They made an immediate impact and looked lively but ultimately failed to break down the solid Swiss defence. Chance after chance after chance came and went amiss after that goal as Spain desperately tried to redeem themselves and overturn the 1-0 lead. Switzerland's goalkeeper had a huge part to play in keeping the Spanish out. Spain's best chance probably came from former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso who nearly snapped the crossbar in two with a ferocious shot from just outside the area. We've seen him strike them from range before for Liverpool, and out of the many long distance shots that have been taken by a lot of the players so far, that was probably the closest on target. Having seen that rebound off the bar, Spain must have felt that it just wasn't their day.
Having reversed to a 4-4-2 formation, and with their centre backs pouring forward to create a goal, Spain were left open at the back which left room for some good counter-attacking football from Switzerland, who were almost able to make it 2-0 with Derdiyok's shot on goal. As much as I love and admire Spain and the way they play, throughout the game I found myself supporting and urging the Swiss on more and more as the game wore on. The game was really off-your-seat football and I could barely sit still as the time wore on and on.
Spain had 5 minutes of added time to save themselves and they were knocking at Switzerland's door...knocking hard, but were unable to find a way past it. The game ended 1-0 provoking wild celebrations from the Swiss who had set out to get a draw. Spain were shocked, as were most people no doubt.
To be fair, it hasn't been a great start for the fancied sides and the favourites. A massive 3 points sent Switzerland joint top and they must now be relishing the prospect of making it to the last 16. Chile also proved that they are contenders too, so Spain might be feeling the heat, just a little. I am sure they will still qualify, but there is the big possibility that they may play Brazil in the last 16 if they finish in 2nd place. Although it would provide for a tasty encounter, it was probably many sweepstakers prediction for the final. I know that the games from the last few days have sent a lot of my predictions down the drain.
This game proved that no matter the style, flair and talent that one side may have and no matter how one sided the game is, any team can be undone by simple intelligence. Hitzveld knew the way the Spaniards would come at the Swiss and so set his team up to stop their fancy footwork and short passing, the best way he knew how...and it worked. Spain were unable to adapt the way they play against a stubborn Swiss side. Spain ran out of ideas and could not come up with something that would break down Swiss resistance. It just goes to show, that no matter how unbeatable you have been in the past, you are not unbeatable forever.
The game ended the first group games of this year's tournament. As we head into the second lot of group games, I will be hoping for greater urgency, better attacking football and for more of my predictions to start coming true!
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