Spain battled through a tough night in Switzerland to come away 4-1 victors in Geneva despite Robin Le Normand’s first-half sending off.
Joselu gratefully grabbed his chance to start immediately, his thumping header broke Sunday’s deadlock after five minutes.
Switzerland had a imminent response to going behind, but Becir Omeragic’s strike was ruled out for a handball in build up, allowing Spain to retrieve their advantage.
An all-action first 20 was licked off with Fabián Ruiz adding to Spanish joy with his thumping effort, a two goal lead could have kickstarted a difficult evening for Switzerland, but Robin Le Normand’s swipe on Breel Embolo reduced La Roja to ten.
Spanish fears were fueled with Switzerland’s response, Zeki Amdouni put a wealth of space to use – grabbing the third goal of the game and weakening the visitors’ advantage.
Both teams battled through the second half in troublesome conditions before a wasteful Switzerland were punished, Ferran Torres unselfishly found Fabián Ruiz to seal his second from close range.
Finally seen off, the word in the contest came from Ferran Torres himself, the winger nestling into Gregor Kobel’s net to add a fourth that deceived the scoreline from the match.
Zeki Amdouni taking the place of Fabian Rieder was a notable change in Murat Yakin’s eleven, the coach also replaced former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka with Denis Zakaria of Chelsea – Gregory Wüthrich being granted Nico Elvedi’s position in the back three completed the Swiss switches from Thursday’s defeat in Denmark.
Luis de la Fuente took the opportunity to make four changes to the side that drew with Serbia. The addition of Pedri meant Dani Olmo making way. Captain on the night, Rodri, came in for the youth of Martín Zubimendi.
Joselu was selected up front, and Alejandro Grimaldo took Marc Cucurella’s place. David Raya continued in goal while Unai Simon returns from a ligament injury.
The difficult conditions were decieving towards how Sunday night kicked off, with Spain keen to write the wrongs of Thursday night in Belgrade.
A quickfire opportunity for Joselu gave the striker the confidence to etch forward again in a Spain shirt. Lamine Yamal worked around a spilling Switzerland backline before finding the head of the striker to poke over the goal line.
The Real Madrid cult hero’s time in the capital has reached its end with a move to the Middle East, but a new-found importance for Luis de la Fuente has remained alongside life after a fairytale single season with Los Blancos.
With their attacking excellence displayed seconds before, La Roja’s back four was well tested – Alejandro Grimaldo, who played Thursday’s closing stages, lost Becir Omerarigic; and the net rippled again with David Raya backpedalling. Swiss joy was cut short at the sight of Irfan Peljto at his VAR screen, the goal was ruled out for a prior handball.
An alleged illegal equaliser was forgotten just minutes later. Nico Williams, back striding through the centre had his low shot denied by Kobel, before Fabián Ruiz arrived on the scene to tear home the rebound and see off Spain’s second.
But what looked like a developing horrible night in the Geneva rain turned around in seconds, Robin Le Normande in controlling Breel Embolo had sliced through the striker in the process, reducing La Selección to ten at Sunday’s first innings.
A hard-fought two-goal advantage that still stood gave Spain the leeway to admirably remain themselves, two blocks of four with a stabbing Joselu through the middle made life difficult for Switzerland – but in possession, the pair of Yamal and Williams flung out of the woodwork to torment a scuffling Swiss back three.
But in defensive naivety, life defending their penalty area was always going to spell trouble for Spain. A swinging set piece was headed on by Denis Zakaria before meeting an unmarked Zeki Amdouni who gratefully fired past David Raya on another La Roja audition.
With the confidence of a legitimate strike, Switzerland could finally prod at their vulnerable visitors – bellowing forward while Dani Carvajal lost his footing on Servette’s damp surface. But time ran out in the half quicker than the Rossocrociati would have liked.
Unideal weather conditions and Spanish disparity between attacking and defending made the second half exciting viewing for the neutral – De la Fuente’s men were in a tough position with their advantage cut in half, Ferran Torres entered to join the fun.
You felt with every oncoming Swiss attack the equaliser had to be nearing in the rain, but you couldn’t argue with the Spanish resilience – perhaps learning a thing or two from their Serbian friends last week.
Yeremy Pino also joined in, finally able to uncover a place with the European Champions – the injury that kept him from this summer’s trip to Germany opened the door for Nico Williams, to make his shining mark for La Roja. But the Villarreal man was keen to put his name back in the minds of supporters, the chaos of Geneva the perfect setting.
About as far from the heat of Baraja as you can get, De la Fuente dawned his branded coat while settling in for one of the more testing matches he’s had in the dug-out of the senior team.
It’s no secret that Spain’s players don’t much like the rain, or dodgy pitches – perfectly demonstrated in Rodri’s; frustrated words following last year’s defeat to Scotland. But Spain were winning this time, one way or another, and some of the men who weren’t able to enjoy German celebrations – were determined to make it happen for La Seleccion.
Almost an hour after they had looked at their best, digging in had finally paid off for Spain. A far from signature long ball was picked up by Ferran Torres, the Barcelona winger had the screaming target of Fabián Ruiz in the middle, who grabbed a brace that very few hopeful punters will be paid out for.
And with a third, another was never going to be far away. Warrior on Sunday night, Joselu, found Ferran Torres on the turn-over – the Blaugrana winger able to grab one of his own, a successful switch had led to the return of a Spanish cushion.
With Spain able to settle off again, they could look forward to escaping Geneva’s downpour – a final Zeki Amdouni free kick swung over the top of the bar; the man who scored the goal that brought Rossocrociati hope back had the final say.