Spain's Fabian Ruiz scored twice as his 10-man side beat Switzerland 4-1 in torrential rain in Geneva to claim their first win in Nations League A Group Four on Sunday and inflict a second straight defeat on their hosts.
Euro 2024 champions Spain had been held to a 0-0 draw by Serbia in their opening group game but found their rhythm with a quick start at the Stade de Geneve as Joselu and Ruiz made it 2-0 up inside 13 minutes.
A red card for Spanish defender Robin Le Normand after 20 minutes was a setback and allowed Switzerland to come back into the game when Zeki Amdouni pulled one back before the break.
But as the Swiss pushed for a late equaliser, Ruiz scored his second and Ferran Torres also scored as Spain attacked the hosts with lightning counter-attacks.
“If there's one thing I like to boast about, it's the pride I've always felt for this team,” said Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente. “When things like this happen, you feel even more proud.”
“With 10 men we have been able to interpret the game in a masterful way. 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 group game on Thursday, leaving them already behind and will regret two disallowed goals and a rejected penalty appeal.
Spain took the lead after four minutes when 17-year-old Lamine Yamal played a trick down the right and drove towards the byline before lifting a deft cross for Joselu to head home.
Becir Omeragic thought he had equalised minutes later, but the shot was disallowed due to a handball by Remo Freuler while preparing the ball.
Spain doubled their lead in a lively start when Nico Williams' initial shot was cleared by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and the ball fell to Ruiz, who fired home.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half when Breel Embolo was stopped by Le Normand as the striker threatened to break away and the Spaniard was shown a straight red card by referee Irfan Peljto.
After Amdouni's free-kick crashed off the bar, the striker found the back of the net five minutes before the break when he headed the ball in from close range.
Switzerland thought they should have awarded a penalty late in the first half when the ball hit Lamine Yamal on the arm, but the referee waved play on.
Amdouni thought he had scored again from another corner, but the ball had gone out of play and the attempt was ruled out.
Spain secured the points with their third goal on the counter-attack, when Torres received a pass and Ruiz headed his cross in off the far post. Torres then scored the fourth goal to add further lustre to the comfortable victory.
“The goals we conceded were unnecessary,” said Swiss defender Manuel Akanji. “There were miscommunications and 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 as well as we did in the first. We ran into counterattacks and were punished. Overall, we didn't do enough.”
