Spain suffered a 1-2 defeat to Switzerland as goals from Manuel Akanji and Breel Embolo knocked the hosts out of the top spot of Nations League Group A2 on Saturday with one game left.
The Swiss stood firm against last year’s finalists for most of the match and lost only to his second home opponent in almost 20 years and his first in Spain since 2018.
The Spaniards are currently in second place with 8 points, after being far behind Portugal, who overcame the Czech Republic 4-0 to win 10 points.
Portugal’s Diogo Dalot, who scored his team’s third goal, celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s side will reach the quarter-finals with at least one home draw against Spain on Tuesday, which must beat Braga to qualify for the semi-finals.
Switzerland are third with six points, two points ahead of the Czechs, whom they will face on Tuesday in a battle to avoid relegation.
21 minutes, Akanji opened the scoring with a header from a corner, but Jordi Alba equalized for the home side with a cross from a counterattack 10 minutes into the break.
However, three minutes later, Embolo sealed the winning goal with a close-range finish from a corner after Akanji clicked the ball into the six-yard box, where the striker shot straight into the box. Fort.
Spain coach Luis Enrique told TVE: “We were up against really aggressive, aggressive, very physically strong opponents who stopped us from playing our style of football. me.
“We didn’t hit the target, really erratic, worse than I can remember since I coached this team.” We need to fix that because now we have the final against Portugal. We need to go there and win. No other way.”
During Portugal’s victory in Prague, Ronaldo needed early treatment after being caught in the face by goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik but being welded in.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo injured his nose during the match
The Portuguese controlled the ball and opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when Rafael Leao made a cross from inside the box and Diogo Dalot shot past goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik.
Ronaldo missed an opportunity to double the lead before Fernandes put the visitors ahead in the first half when he broke into the box and delivered a cross from close range.
Ronaldo then conceded a goal for handball but Patrik Schick hit the spot-kick just before the break.
Dalot scored his second goal shortly after with Jota scoring in the 82nd minute to put the 2019 champions at pole position to reach the semi-finals.
