Swiss pull off shock 1-0 win over favourites Spain

Switzerland pulled off the biggest shock of the 2010 World Cup so far when they beat European champions Spain 1-0 on Wednesday, their first ever victory over their opponents in 19 games.

A scrappy goal against the run of play from Gelson Fernandes, who picked up a loose ball after Spanish keeper Iker Casillas collided with Eren Derdiyok in the box, put the Swiss into the lead in the 52nd minute.

Spain, who totally dominated the match for large periods, brought on striker Fernando Torres, just back from a long-term injury, 10 minutes later but to no avail as his side continued to squander chances.

After a forgettable first half, the Swiss looked like spending another 45 minutes defending for their lives until goalkeeper Diego Benaglio's long clearance was allowed to bounce and Fernandes pounced when the ball emerged from a clutter of bodies.

The European champions, many pundits' favourites to win the tournament, enjoyed a near monopoly of possession for much of the game but were unable to convert the chances they created.

Coach Vicente del Bosque, who had started the match with David Villa as a lone striker, brought Fernando Torres and Jesus Navas on after the goal to try and rescue the game but they were unable to find a way through.

Xabi Alonso hit the underside of the bar with a fine strike in the 70th minute, Navas shot lamely at Swiss goalkeeper Benaglio when through on goal about a minute later, and Gerard Pique squandered another chance on the next Spanish attack.

Eren Derdiyok, playing in place of his injured captain Alex Frei, then jinked his way through the defence to almost double the Swiss lead but, to the relief of the Spanish, his shot came bouncing back off the post.