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Thursday, June 17, 2010

Switzerland 1-0 Spain

World Cup favourites Spain suffered a shock 0-1 defeat by Switzerland as South Africa 2010 served up a major upset.

The European champions from Spain enjoyed almost total control of the game in Durban but were held at arms length for long periods and wasteful in front of goal when chances did appear.

Switzerland grabbed the only goal of the match after 52 minutes when A long goal-kick was flicked through to Eren Derdiyok, who bundled it past goalkeeper Iker Casillas and the falling Pique to leave former midfielder Gelsen Fernandes with a simple finish.

With Barcelona trio David Villa, Andres Iniesta and Xavi unable to conjure a breakthrough, coach Vicente Del Bosque threw on Fernando Torres, Jesus Navas and Pedro, but to no avail as the Spanish slumped to only their second defeat in 49 games.

The result piles pressure on Spain, who could now be forced to face Brazil in the second round if they finish Group H as runners-up.

For the unfancied Swiss, it was a historic first victory over the Spanish and another triumph in the glittering career of their German coach Ottmar Hitzveld.

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