World Cup favorite Spain crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in its opening game of the tournament Wednesday.
A rock solid defense and a tremendous goalkeeping effort from Diego Benaglio saw the Swiss take the lead in the 51st minute through Gelson Fernandes and sustain wave after wave of pressure to hold on for the win in the Group H clash.
The victory was Switzerland's first-ever win over Spain in 19 games dating back 85 years.
Fernandes' scrambled goal was exactly the type pundits said the Swiss might score against a Spanish team whose slick passing game failed to convert territory and overwhelming possession into anything concrete.
A long, straight goalkick was picked up by striker Eren Derdiyok, whose path was blocked by an onrushing Iker Casillas.
In the melee, the ball squirted into the path of defender Gerard Pique who slipped as he went to clear it, leaving Cape Verde-born Fernandes with the easiest of tap-ins.
Derdiyok could have made it two for the Swiss but saw his prod with the outside of his foot rebound off the post in the 74th minute.
Spain was left kicking itself after dominating much of open play, while Vicente Del Bosque's selection policy will be questioned after the positive impact of strikers Jesus Navas and Fernando Torres who came off the bench.
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