Spain suffered an expensive defeat on Saturday in the battle for a place in the final round of the Nations League. The team of national coach Luis Enrique lost 1-2 to Switzerland in Zaragoza, while Portugal took the lead in the group. With a battered Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese won 0-4 against the Czech Republic.
Although Spain dictated the game in the stadium of Real Zaragoza, the predominance did not create any chances, especially before half-time. In fact, the 2010 world champion never shot on target in the first half.
Switzerland did and took the lead in the 21st minute via Manuel Akanji, who headed in from a corner. The answer from Spain only followed in the 55th minute and precisely through left back Jordi Alba. The FC Barcelona player was released completely and then shot the ball into the corner.
Breel Embolo subsequently grew into the goldcrest of Switzerland. Three minutes after Alba’s equalizer, the striker tapped in the winning goal from close range, causing Spain to suffer its first defeat in the Nations League and lose the top spot in Group 2 of Division A to Portugal.
The battle for the group win and a place in the Nations League Finals is approaching its climax on Tuesday. Then Portugal plays against Spain in Braga. Portugal won the first edition of the Nations League in 2019 by beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final.
Standings in group 2 division A Nations League
- 1. Portugal 5-10 (+9)
- 2. Spain 5-8 (+2)
- 3. Switzerland 5-6 (-4)
- 4. Czech Republic 5-4 (-7)
Cristiano Ronaldo was injured in a clash in the game against the Czech Republic.
Cristiano Ronaldo was injured in a clash in the game against the Czech Republic.
Photo: Getty Images
Portugal win with battered Ronaldo
Portugal took full advantage of Spain’s misstep by beating the Czech Republic with clear figures. Partly due to two goals from Diogo Dalot, the Portuguese triumphed in Prague with 0-4. At halftime, the team of national coach Fernando Santos already led 0-2.
The shock still struck Portugal in the opening phase when Ronaldo got the fists of Czech goalkeeper Tomás Vaclík with a header. The Manchester United star was treated on the field with a bloody nose. The striker was able to continue, although he was visibly battered.
Not much later, Portugal took the lead in the Fortuna Arena. A cross from Bruno Fernandes shot through, after which Rafael Leão brought the ball in again and Dalot scored his first goal of the evening from close range.
On the stroke of half-time, Fernandes topped off a cross from Mário Rui with the 0-2, after which the Czech Republic destroyed an imposed chance for the connecting goal. The Czechs received a penalty after a handball from Ronaldo, but Patrik Schick aimed from 11 meters high.
After the break, Portugal took further distance from the Czech Republic, with Dalot’s 0-3 especially striking. The right back of Manchester United shot the ball from about 20 meters into the far corner. The final chord was for Diogo Jota. After Ronaldo’s headers, he concluded the party night of Portugal with the 0-4. The Czech Republic could not do anything about that, even after the introduction of Twente attacker Václav Cerný.
