Spain prolonged their unbeaten run to 18 matches however have been held to a disappointing draw by a dogged Switzerland aspect in Sunday's pleasant at El Madrigal. A powerful volley by 22-year-old proper again Alvaro Odriozola was cancelled out by Ricardo Rodriguez, who punished an uncharacteristic error by David de Gea within the second half.
The winners of the 2010 FIFA World Cup have been desperately disappointing within the final two main tournaments, however haven't misplaced a match since their 2-Zero defeat in opposition to Italy within the spherical of 16 of the 2016 European Championships.
As one might need been anticipated from a aspect who had put six objectives previous Argentina of their final dwelling match, Spain made a dominant begin and will have taken the lead within the opening two minutes, with Yann Sommer pressured into a sensible save low to his proper.
The recreation quickly settled into a acquainted sample, with veteran Andres Iniesta pulling the strings in midfield and David Silva inflicting the Swiss all kinds of issues together with his clever working. Silva shot extensive after a superb headed layoff by Diego Costa, nevertheless it appeared solely a matter of time earlier than the house aspect opened the scoring.
Sure sufficient, within the 29th minute, Odriozola related superbly with a Silva cross, hanging a beautiful volley from exterior the Swiss penalty space which left Sommer with no probability. It was a simply reward for the aspect who had loved 70 per cent of possession within the opening half hour.
Despite being outplayed, the Swiss had a few threatening moments within the first half, each of which got here from proper again Stephan Lichtsteiner. In the 24th minute, the Swiss captain performed in a first rate cross which Gerard Pique failed to clear, just for Blerim Dzemaili's miscued strike to bounce harmlessly over the bar. Later within the half, Xherdan Shaqiri cleverly launched Lichtsteiner, however his promising low cross eluded everybody.
19 - Spain have scored in every of their final 19 video games in all competitions (60 objectives in whole), their greatest run since June 1951 (20). Demolishing. pic.twitter.com/6yjws2syMB
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June three, 2018
Nevertheless, the Swiss should have been grateful to finish the primary half just one objective behind - the unmarked Costa missed a golden probability from a nook, whereas Sommer saved well from Iniesta.
To their credit score, the guests by no means crumbled, sustaining their defensive organisation whilst they have been left chasing shadows everywhere in the pitch. Nevertheless, as soon as once more they solely narrowly prevented falling two objectives behind when Iniesta shot narrowly extensive within the 52nd minute.
The 34-year-old midfielder acquired a rousing ovation when he was substituted within the 55th minute, having given a sometimes achieved show in his remaining match for Spain on dwelling soil. His substitute Saul made an virtually rapid affect, albeit not of a optimistic form - he was booked for a crude sliding foul on Shaqiri.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the Swiss have been gifted an equaliser within the 62nd minute, courtesy of a collector's merchandise - a unhealthy error from David de Gea. He appeared to be deceived by a harmless-looking Lichtsteiner effort from the best, enabling Rodriguez to end from shut vary.
The recreation appeared to change into disjointed because the second half wore on, which was partly as a result of either side made 5 substitutions. At occasions within the latter levels of the match, it appeared that each side have been extra anxious to keep away from damage than to rating a winner.
Nevertheless, it was straightforward to see why Switzerland have received ten and misplaced simply one among their final 12 aggressive matches. For all their elegant strategy play, Spain hardly ever opened up their guests, and on the uncommon events after they did, Sommer was equal to their greatest efforts. Nacho shot narrowly extensive and wasted a good alternative with a poor header in damage time, however in the long run the Swiss deserved their draw.
Spain will face Tunisia on Saturday of their remaining warm-up match earlier than travelling to Russia, whereas Switzerland will host Japan on Friday. Both sides face robust opening fixtures within the World Cup - Spain will face European Champions Portugal, whereas Switzerland will kick off their marketing campaign in opposition to Brazil, who've received the World Cup 5 occasions.