Bundesliga meeting in Geneva: Switzerland beats Portugal
Switzerland has rehabilitated itself in the Nations League after three bankruptcies at the start. The “Nati” scored early against Portugal and could then rely on their keeper.
Without their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese national football team has lost the lead in the Nations League to neighboring Spain. The team coached by Fernando Santos lost 1-0 (0-1) to Switzerland, who were previously pointless at the bottom, on Sunday after an early deficit, while the new leaders in Group A2 celebrated a 2-0 (1-0) home win against the Czech Republic.
Star trio not included
Ronaldo, Joao Moutinho and BVB professional Raphael Guerreiro had not even traveled to Geneva with the Portuguese. The trio were given a breather – and without top international goalscorer Ronaldo there was an early setback. Less than a minute was played when former Frankfurt player Haris Seferovic headed the first Swiss attack.
A lively game followed, in which a penalty for Switzerland was taken back after video evidence (13th) and the possible Portuguese equalizer from Rafael Leao (18th) was denied for offside.
Spain held off the Czech Republic’s impressive pressing in Malaga. After initial difficulties, Carlos Soler (24th) scored for the half-time lead, which the 2010 world champion earned more and more as the season progressed. Joker Pablo Sarabia (75th) made everything clear shortly after being substituted on.