Ruiz double helps 10-man Spain swat Switzerland 4-1

Spain’s Fabian Ruiz scored a brace as his 10-man side thumped Switzerland 4-1 in Geneva to clinch their first victory in the Nations League A Group Four on Sunday and wreak a second successive defeat on their hosts. 

Euro 2024 champions had played a goalless stalemate against Serbia in their pool opener but found their rhythm in a swift start at the Stade de Geneve as Joselu and Ruiz scored in quick succession to lead Spain 2-0 inside 13 minutes. 

A red card for Spanish defender Robin de Normand after 20 minutes was a huge setback and brought the hosts back in the game as Zeki Amdouni pulled one back before the end of the first half.  

But late on as the Swizz pressed for an equaliser, Ruiz scored his second followed by a third goal from Ferran Torres as Spain hurt the hosts with lightning-quick counter-attacks. 

"If there's one thing I like to boast about, it's the pride I've always felt for this team," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. "When these circumstances happen, one feels more proud.

"With 10 men we have been able to interpret the game masterfully. I am very proud of this team and every day we see that we continue to grow and that we can improve."

Switzerland lost 2-0 to Denmark in their opening game of the Nations League. If two back-to-back losses weren’t enough, they had disallowed goals and a penalty appeal turned down to add insult to injury. 

Spain led within four minutes with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal showing trickery on the right and driving towards the byline before providing a deft cross for Joselu to open the scoring.

Becir Omeragic thought he had drawn level minutes later, but the equaliser was ruled out for handball by Remo Freuler in the build-up. 

Spain doubled their advantage in a lively opening as Nico Williams’ initial shot was eluded by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and the ball fell to Ruiz, who gleefully accepted the gift and found the back of the net for the second time.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men halfway through the first half when Le Normand held back Breel Embolo as the forward threatened to race clear and the Spaniard was handed a straight red card.     

After Amdouni’s free-kick hit the crossbar, the forward did register his name on the scoresheet five minutes before half-time as he netted the ball from close range. 

Switzerland thought they should have had a spot-kick in the first half when the ball hit Yamal on the barm, but the referee continued the play. 

Amdouni thought he had scored again from yet another corner but the ball had gone out of play and the goal was dismissed. 

Spain put the game beyond reach with a third goal on the break as Torres was allowed to roam free and Ruiz finished his cross into the far corner. Torres then scored himself to secure a comfortable victory. 

The goals we conceded were unnecessary," Swiss defender Manuel Akanji said. "There were communication errors, and the goals came too easily. When we were 2-0 down, we did well. They had a lot of trouble defending Breel.

"In the second half, we didn't do all the good things we did in the first half. We ran into counter-attacks and were punished. Overall, we didn't do enough."