4:1 against Switzerland

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(Bild: AFP or licensors)

Defending champions Spain have celebrated their first victory in the second round of the Nations League. Coach Luis de la Fuente's team won 4:1 against Switzerland in Geneva after a long game under pressure. In the parallel match in Group A4, Denmark defeated Serbia 2:0 in Copenhagen. 

The Spanish European champions, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Serbia to open the competition, took an early lead through Joselu (4th) in the pouring rain at the Stade de Geneve. His header was saved by Gregor Kobel just behind the goal line. A Swiss goal by Becir Omeragic just three minutes later was disallowed after a VAR review due to a handball by Remo Freuler in the build-up to the goal.

(Bild: AFP or licensors)

The "Furia Roja" went one better at the other end: after Nico Williams was denied by Kobel, Fabian Ruiz put the rebound into the net (13'). Sturm Graz legionnaire Gregory Wüthrich did not cut a good figure for either goal.

However, Robin Le Normand saw red shortly afterwards for an emergency stop against Swiss striker Breel Embolo (20'). Zeki Amdouni struck the crossbar from the resulting free-kick. The Swiss striker did better shortly before the break when he headed home from a corner (41'). In the second half, the Swiss pressed for an equalizer without really making a compelling case. However, two quick counter-attacks within three minutes were enough for the efficient Spaniards to decide the game. Ruiz with his second goal (77') and Ferran Torres (80') made everything clear.

Denmark, meanwhile, recorded their second victory. The match-winner for coach Lars Knudsen's team against Serbia was striker Yussuf Poulsen, who set up Albert Grönbaek to make it 1-0 (36') and scored the second goal himself with a spectacular overhead kick (61'). The Danes are top of the table with six points ahead of Spain (4).