Spain fell to their first home loss in almost four years as Switzerland dealt a blow to their bid to qualify for next year’s Nations League finals.
Defeat saw Luis Enrique’s side replaced at the top of Group A2 by Portugal, who they will meet in their winner-takes-all final group match on Tuesday.
Eric Garcia’s own-goal, three minutes after Jordi Alba levelled for Spain in the second half, decided the game.
Manuel Akanji’s 21st-minute header had put Switzerland ahead in Zaragoza.
It is La Roja’s first home defeat in 22 matches across all competitions since losing 3-2 to England in the Nations League in October 2018.
That stood as their only loss in their past 56 competitive home matches, with defeat by Switzerland only their second defeat on home soil since 2003.
While a Spain win on Saturday accompanied by defeat for Portugal against the Czech Republic would have sealed top spot for the 2021 runners-up, Spain will now head into their final game two points behind Portugal and requiring all three points to progress.
Switzerland, who picked up their first win against Portugal last time out in June, moved off the bottom of the group after another impressive victory.
Garcia’s own-goal, forced as Breel Embolo attacked a second ball at a corner, saw them leapfrog final opponents the Czech Republic as they bid to avoid relegation.
Line-ups
Spain
Formation 4-3-3
- 23Simón
- 2AzpilicuetaSubstituted forSolerat 87′minutes
- 3García
- 4Torres
- 18Alba
- 9Páez Gavira
- 5Busquets
- 21GonzálezSubstituted forLlorenteat 70′minutes
- 11TorresSubstituted forPinoat 63′minutes
- 10AsensioSubstituted forIglesiasat 63′minutes
- 22SarabiaSubstituted forWilliamsat 63′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Sánchez
- 6Llorente
- 7Morata
- 8Koke
- 12Guillamón
- 13Raya
- 14Gayà
- 15Pino
- 16Rodri
- 17Iglesias
- 19Soler
- 20Williams
Switzerland
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Sommer
- 3Widmer
- 5AkanjiBooked at 44mins
- 4Elvedi
- 13RodríguezSubstituted forSteffenat 45′minutes
- 8Freuler
- 10Xhaka
- 23ShaqiriSubstituted forNdoyeat 68′minutes
- 15SowSubstituted forZakariaat 68′minutes
- 17VargasSubstituted forAebischerat 79′minutes
- 7EmboloSubstituted forSeferovicat 87′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Mbabu
- 6Zakaria
- 9Seferovic
- 11Steffen
- 12Omlin
- 14Aebischer
- 16Ndoye
- 18Cömert
- 19Itten
- 20Frei
- 21Mvogo
- 22Schär
- Referee:
- Clément Turpin
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Spain 1, Switzerland 2.
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Second Half ends, Spain 1, Switzerland 2.
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Corner, Spain. Conceded by Renato Steffen.
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Attempt saved. Carlos Soler (Spain) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Foul by Gavi (Spain).
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Silvan Widmer (Switzerland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Yeremi Pino (Spain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Remo Freuler (Switzerland).
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Substitution, Spain. Carlos Soler replaces César Azpilicueta.
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Substitution, Switzerland. Haris Seferovic replaces Breel Embolo.
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Attempt blocked. Nico Williams (Spain) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sergio Busquets.
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Jonas Omlin (Switzerland) is shown the yellow card.
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Eric García (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Breel Embolo (Switzerland).
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Foul by Eric García (Spain).
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Breel Embolo (Switzerland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Gavi (Spain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Remo Freuler (Switzerland).
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Substitution, Switzerland. Michel Aebischer replaces Rubén Vargas.
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Attempt saved. Marcos Llorente (Spain) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Sergio Busquets.
