Spain suffered their first home defeat in nearly four years, as Switzerland dealt a blow to their chances of qualifying for next year’s Nations League finals.
Luis Enrique’s team was knocked off the top of Group A2 by Portugal, who they will face in their winner-take-all final group match on Tuesday.
The game was decided by Eric Garcia’s own goal three minutes after Jordi Alba levelled for Spain in the second half.
Manuel Akanji’s header in the 21st minute put Switzerland ahead in Zaragoza.
It is La Roja’s first defeat at home in 22 matches in all competitions since losing 3-2 to England in the Nations League in October 2018.
That was their only loss in their previous 56 competitive home matches, with defeat by Switzerland being only their second home defeat since 2003.
While a win for Spain on Saturday combined with a defeat for Portugal against the Czech Republic would have secured first place for the 2021 runners-up, Spain will now enter their final game two points behind Portugal and needing all three points to advance.
Switzerland, who won their first game against Portugal in June, moved off the bottom of the group with another convincing victory.
Garcia’s own goal, caused by Breel Embolo’s attack on a second ball at a corner, propelled them ahead of final opponents Czech Republic in their bid to avoid relegation.
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