The final match of the World Cup’s first game-day had the biggest upset in the entire tournament so far, with Switzerland beating trophy favourites Spain by 1-0. Gelson Fernandes scored the goal for Switzerland in 52′, and the Swiss automatically become serious contenders for a spot on the second round of the World Cup 2010.
The second match of Group H was played in Durban, and even though the entire game belonged to Spain in therms of chances, possession and quality, it didn’t translate to any goals or victory. Switzerland’s coach Ottmar Hitzfeld (and pretty much the entire world) knows that Spain is definitely the superior football team on the field. Hitzfeld tried to “read” Spain as much as he could, prepare and set up his team accordingly, while hoping to have a little bit of luck on their side.
Well Switzerland had all that and more: the team was very well read, prepared, and had tons of luck in the game against Spain. Xavi was creating, David Villa was hammering from almost every direction possible, and David Silva was also on a great day. Switzerland’s defence was simply impressive, and goalkeeper Diego Benaglio showed exactly how good he is in quite a few dangerous plays.
What else could Switzerland ask for? A moment of weak defence from Spain: Eren Derdiyok took the ball fast in a counter attack, and after a mix up inside Spain’s goal area Fernandes simply pushed the ball in to score for Switzerland. The goal definitely discouraged Spain, and the players wasted 10 minutes trying to come back in the game with long balls and fast decisions. Coach Vicente del Bosque threw Jesús Navasand and Fernando Torres in the game, two substitutions that turned the game around again for Spain. But the goal was missing and it almost came for…Switzerland: Derdiyok again in a counter attack made the entire Spanish defence dance, but his shot hit the post saving Spain from further embarrassed.
