Gelson Fernandes makes Switzerland embarrass Spain as champions candidates

World Cup favourites Spain suffered a shock defeat to Switzerland as South Africa 2010 served up its first major upset.

The European champions enjoyed almost total control of the game in Durban but were wasteful in front of goal and went behind after 52 minutes when a long ball was flicked through to Gelson Fernandes, who bundled it into the net.

With Barcelona trio David Villa, Andres Iniesta and Xavi unable to find a breakthrough, coach Vicente Del Bosque threw on forwards Fernando Torres, Jesus Navas and Pedro but to no avail as the European champions slumped to only their second defeat in 49 games.

The result piles pressure on the Spanish, who were widely tipped to finally end decades of underachievement on the game's biggest stage and Del Bosque's men could now be forced to face Brazil in the second round if they finish Group H as runners-up.

Spain had quickly settled into their rhythmic short passing game and, with Switzerland struggling to get the ball out of their own half, the match came to resemble a training game, with Spain's attack trying to find away through a packed Swiss defence.

The first real opening fell to Spain right-back Sergio Ramos, who received the ball in space on the right before dragging his shot wastefully wide, much to the anger of his better-placed team-mates Xavi and David Villa.

Moments later, Andres Iniesta slipped a pass through to Gerard Pique, who cut inside his man before firing straight at goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.

The next attack saw Silva chip a delightful ball over the Switzerland defence for Iniesta, who was brought down on the edge of the area as he tried to get his shot away. David Villa fired the resultant free-kick straight at the wall.

Lone striker Villa looked skilful and lively, but when he finally found space in the box, he opted to pass, and chipped tamely across the face of goal.

The second half began in a similar vein until the Swiss took the lead with the first real attack of the game.

A long punt downfield was flicked through to Eren Derdiyok who bundled it past Iker Casillas and Gerard Pique to leave Fernandes with a simple finish.

Benaglio raced off his line to deny Villa before Del Bosque sent on Torres and Jesus Navas just after the hour mark.

Iniesta and Torres both curled shots wide before former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso almost broke the crossbar with a stunning strike from just outside the area.

With Spain committing more men forward, the game became stretched and Switzerland came within a whisker of taking a 2-0 lead when Derdiyok cut inside Pique and Carles Puyol before flicking a shot which had Casillas beaten but bounced back off the post.

The last ten minutes were a predictable Spanish onslaught but, with Torres looking rusty on his return from knee surgery, Spain seemed to run out of ideas as their efforts became increasingly desperate.

As it was, Switzerland - coached by two-time Champions League winner Ottmar HItzveld - held firm for their first victory in a World Cup opener since 1954.

Spain	0-1	Switzerland	FT
	(HT 0-0)	Fernandes, 52
Team
Spain 01 Casillas 03 Pique 05 Puyol 11 Capdevila 15 Sergio Ramos 06 Iniesta (Pedrito, 77) 08 Xavi 14 Alonso 16 Busquets (Torres, 61) 21 Silva (G Jesus Navas, 61) 07 Villa		Switzerland 01 Benaglio 02 Lichtsteiner 04 Senderos (Von Bergen, 35) 13 Grichting 17 Ziegler 06 Huggel 07 Barnetta (Eggiman, 90+2) 08 Inler 16 Fernandes 10 Nkufo 19 Derdiyok (Yakin, 79 )
Substitutes: 12 Valdes, 23 Reina, 02 Albiol, 04 Marchena, 17 Arbeloa, 10 Fabregas, 20 Javi Martinez, 22 G Jesus Navas, 09 Torres, 13 Mata, 18 Pedrito, 19 Llorente		Substitutes: 12 Wolfli, 21 Leoni, 03 Magnin, 05 Von Bergen, 22 Eggiman, 14 Padalino, 15 Yakin, 20 Schwegler, 23 Shaqiri, 18 Bunjaku
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium Referee: Howard Webb Attendance: 62,453