six azulgrana
Two months before its World Cup debut in Qatar, Spain carried a bruised image into the mix. The selection looked fragile, and the performance against Switzerland in the Nations League’s penultimate group match felt unsettled, ending 1-2 in Zaragoza. A rare defeat added to the mounting questions around a squad that, after nearly two decades, seems under intense scrutiny as Portugal fans dream of a June 2023 final four appearance.
Coach Luis Enrique urged the team to live in the present. It’s easy to say when the World Cup looms, because thoughts tend to circle around that date. The Nations League, a competition that has fluctuated in importance, has shifted from a curious novelty to something many fans now view with a touch of weariness in its rhythm.
six azulgrana
Enrique started with eleven players from the domestic league, leaning on a strong Barcelona presence. Six Barcelona players wore the national jersey, with no substitutes used from the bench. In defense, Eric García and Jordi Alba formed the back line, while the midfield trio Busquets-Gavi-Pedri controlled the center. Fernando Torres lined up on the right side of the attack, and the lone Real Madrid figure in the starting XI was the designated false nine, with Morata left on the bench.
The plan from the Asturian coach did not materialize. La Roja failed to register a shot on goal in the first half, holding 75 percent possession yet lacking depth and variety. The team built through the middle, but opponents waited to exploit an old, effective tactic: pile on pressure from above to destabilize the defense.
The warning flashed at minute 11 when a high header established the tempo for a dangerous spell. Ten minutes later, Switzerland struck through a goal crafted by Akanki, who peeled away from Azpilicueta and Pau Torres to head past Unai Simón. The Athletic goalkeeper showed sharp reflexes on several occasions, but his best moment could not salvage a day where the defensive line appeared unsettled and exposed. Shakiri, the Swiss playmaker, demonstrated why he remains a constant threat in attack.
Alba draw
Switzerland, ranked 16th by FIFA, arrived in Zaragoza with a recent win over Portugal that boosted confidence. Enrique had warned about the danger of a compact, hard-working block that could drag Spain into a tight spot, reminding fans of their narrow Euro exit and the looming possibility of penalties. The 2010 memory, when Switzerland toppled Spain in a warm-up for a World Cup, still lingers for supporters.
With a Swiss victory in Zaragoza and a Portuguese win in Prague, halftime looked alarming. A strategic adjustment seemed necessary, and there was expectation for a different approach to build from the back and feed the attack. Yet Enrique remained with his starting eleven, and Jordi Alba produced a transformative moment with a superb assist at minute 55. The Barcelona winger, alongside two Madrid teammates who regularly feature for their clubs, celebrated the equalizer with visible emotion.
Eric’s own goal
The plot thickened as Switzerland struck again through an unfortunate clearance. A corner found Akanji and Embolo towering over the Spanish defense, and Eric García inadvertently turned the ball into his own net at minute 58. The defensive line looked unsettled, and the uncertainty grew as the game wore on.
This shift tilted the balance further in favor of the visitors, prompting Enrique to reshuffle by bringing all three attackers into the fray. Jeremiah Pino, Borja Iglesias, and Nico Williams entered in quick succession. Pedri, who had shown good form, was taken off as part of a broader tactical shift, but the changes did not translate into the momentum needed. While Portugal navigated Prague, Spain’s path to a positive result grew increasingly tangled.