Abstract:
While Spain came out as the victor in this match-up, it was Israel that looked to be the better team. The Swiss players were very active in the game and should have been awarded a penalty when they were pushed off of a ball while not playing.
There was also an instance where the Spaniards attempted and missed a shot from inside their own half because the ball went wide of the goal. This is one of many reasons for Switzerland’s victory over Spain today. This was the first time in a Euro’s history that Spain lost at home. Today, the Swiss defeated Spain by a score of 1-0.
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A brief introduction to the team of Spain players
Spain, with the help of their goalie, was able to block numerous shots. The team was in fact “the first team to miss five penalties at the European (football) Championship finals.” This definitely made it harder for Switzerland to get another goal and win this match. In the end, Spain was able to block 12 shots on goal. It was not only Spain’s goalie that did a great job at blocking shots, but Spain’s defense as well.
The team was able to block 8 shots on goal. Even though “Spain (has) never lost at home in a qualifier or the European Championship since 2008,” it was Switzerland who came out with the win today. The game took place at Landsdowne Road Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. This was also Switzerland’s first win against Spain in a competitive match and their first since 1995 (1-0).
The Swiss came out strong from the beginning of the match and kept up their good play for most of it. Switzerland dominated the game for about 70 minutes and was able to control its pace and the ball. Their strength of play came from the midfielders, “the happiest of [which] was Gokhan Inler, who is not just a midfield general but also scored the only goal of this final game.” This is why they were able to control most of the match.
Switzerland’s coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld, had his team ready to play Spain. He said before the game that Spain would be Spain: entertaining and creative in possession but very vulnerable when they break out. Switzerland’s coach was definitely right; Spain’s offense was struggling today. The Swiss coaches made sure that they set rules to defend against the Spanish.
The Swiss never gave up playing even though they were losing and trailing most of the game until they were awarded a penalty shot in the last few minutes of play.
Summary of Spain’s first home loss in four years by the Swiss players
This was the first time Spain had ever lost at home in a European tournament. Spain’s goal was able to block 12 shots on goal, which made it harder for Switzerland to score. Switzerland’s Gokhan Inler scored the only goal of the game against Spain. The game took place at Landsdowne Road Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. This was also Switzerland’s first win against Spain in a competitive match since 1995.
