GENEVA: Spain’s Fabian Ruiz scored twice as his 10-man side defeated Switzerland 4-1 in the pouring rain in Geneva to earn their first victory in Nations League A Group Four and inflict a second successive defeat on the hosts.

Euro 2024 winners Spain had been held to a dour 0-0 draw by Serbia in their pool opener but found their groove in a quick start at the Stade de Geneve as Joselu and Ruiz had them 2-0 up inside 13 minutes.

A red card for Spain defender Robin Le Normand after 20 minutes was a setback and brought Switzerland into the game as Zeki Amdouni pulled a goal back before halftime.

But as the Swiss pressed for an equaliser late on, Ruiz netted his second and Ferran Torres also got on the scoresheet as Spain hit the hosts with lightning counter-attacks.

“If there’s one thing I like to boast about, it’s the pride I’ve always felt for this team,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. “When these circumstances happen, one feels more proud.

“With 10 men we have been able to interpret the game in a masterful way. I am very proud of this team and every day we see that we continue to grow and that we can improve.”

Spain led inside four minutes when 17-year-old Lamine Yamal lifted a deft cross for Joselu to head home.

The visitors doubled their advantage in a lively opening as Nico Williams’ initial shot was parried by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and the ball fell to Fabian Ruiz, who lashed his shot into the back of the net.

Spain were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half when Breel Embolo was held back by Le Normand as the striker threatened to race clear and the Spaniard was handed a straight red card by referee Irfan Peljto.

After Amdouni’s free-kick crashed back off the crossbar, the forward did find the back of the net five minutes before halftime as he turned the ball home from close range.

Spain made the points safe with a third goal on the break as Torres was set free and his cross was finished by Ruiz into the far corner. Torres then scored a fourth himself to add further gloss to the comfortable victory.

“The goals we conceded were unnecessary,” Swiss defender Manuel Akanji said. “There were communication errors, and the goals came too easily. When we were 2-0 down, we did well. They had a lot of trouble defending Breel.

“In the second half, we didn’t do all the good things we did in the first half. We ran into counter-attacks and were punished. Overall, we didn’t do enough.”

Denmark, too

The night’s other Group 4 clash saw Denmark striker Yussuf Poulsen created the opening goal and then added a brilliant second with an acrobatic bicycle kick as his side beat Serbia 2-0.

After an industrious display in his debut on Thursday when Denmark beat Switzerland, attacking midfielder Albert Gronbaeck gave his side the lead against Serbia with his first senior international goal in the 36th minute, playing a one-two with Poulsen before drilling the ball into the net.

The 30-year-old Poulsen wrapped up the three points in the second half, flinging himself into the air between two defenders and burying Victor Kristiansen’s cross with a left-footed scissor kick in the 61st minute.

The Serbs, who held Denmark to a scoreless draw when the two met at the group stage of Euro 2024 in June, struggled to create any chances to trouble goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as the hosts cruised to victory.

After two home games to start the campaign, Denmark’s next two games in the group are away to Spain and Switzerland in October.

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