Germany’s World Cup group opponents Spain have stumbled over Switzerland, which is peppered with Bundesliga stars, in the Football Nations League – and could now lose their place in the finals to arch-rivals Portugal of all people.
Spain lost 2-1 (0-1) to the Swiss in Zaragoza, on the fifth day of the game it was the first defeat for last year’s finalists. At the same time, Portugal won their away game in the Czech Republic 4-0 (2-0).
The team around superstar Cristiano Ronaldo thus ensured a final for first place. Portugal are at the top of Group 2 of League A with 10 points, followed by Spain with 8 points. The two will meet in Portugal next Tuesday.
Only the first moves into the Final Four of the Nations League. Switzerland climbed to third place with 6 points, ahead of the Czech Republic (4) and now has a good chance of avoiding relegation to the B-League.
Switzerland with Bundesliga power
For Switzerland, Yann Sommer, Nico Elvedi (both Borussia Mönchengladbach), Silvan Widmer (FSV Mainz 05), Djibril Sow (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Ruben Vargas (FC Augsburg) were five current Bundesliga professionals in the starting XI in Zaragoza – two former ones made the decision: former Dortmund player Manuel Akanji hit with a header (21′), and he decisively extended another corner in the direction of ex-Gladbacher Breel Embolo (58′). Jordi Alba (55th) equalized for Spain in the meantime.
Portugal won in Prague with goals from Diogo Dalot (33’/52′), Bruno Fernandes (45’+2′) and Diogo Jota (82′). In injury time in the first half, Ronaldo caused a hand penalty, but Bayer Leverkusen’s striker Patrik Schick, who was in trouble in the league, shot it over the goal (45′ + 6′).