World Cup title-contenders Spain were shocked by a 1-0 opening defeat to a gritty Switzerland side in Group H. An untidy goal from midfielder Gelson Fernandes gave the Swiss an unlikely victory in Durban, marking the first shock of the finals. Switzerland share the group summit with Chile, who won by the same scoreline against Honduras earlier. Spain were in cruise control since the first minute, against a well-organized Swiss defense, masterminded by veteran coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. While the slick passing form the Reds struggled to penetrate the opposition defense, the best chance of the half came from center-back Gerard Pique. The Barcelona man skillfully feinted past a Swiss defender, but his effort was brilliantly thwarted by goalkeeper Diego Benaglio. Switzerland received a blow in the 34th minute when key defender Philippe Senderos had to substituted after injuring himself in a collision with teammate Stephan Lichtsteiner. Before the break, Spain hitman David Villa should have scored after went past the last Swiss defender but his attempt to lob Benaglio went wide. Scrappy, but decisive Spain maintained their control to possession after the break, but were hit on the counter seven minutes into the second half. Eren Derdiyok was through on goal but Iker Casillas interfered as an out-of-balance Pique rolled over the ball, giving Fernandes the opportunity to slot home in an empty net. Spain committed men forward in search for the equalizer as manager Vicente Del Bosque sent in Jesus Navas and Fernando Torres. Torres somehow refreshed the one-man frontline led by Villa, but the European champions were hardly given a sniff by their defiant opponents. Xabi Alonso was unlucky to see his unstoppable bullet rattle the crossbar, in what proved to Spain's closer chance to scoring.
