FOOTBALL – 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 on Sunday and inflict a second successive defeat on their 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.
Substitute Cristiano Ronaldo struck a late winner as Portugal came from a goal down to beat Scotland 2-1 to continue their strong start to the Nations League on Sunday.
After Bruno Fernandes had fired in Portugal’s equaliser, Ronaldo pounced in the 88th minute for his 901st career goal.
Scotland were given hope of a first win against Portugal since 1980 as they were given a shock early lead with Scott McTominay’s bullet header in the seventh minute.
The visitors repelled a Portuguese barrage before halftime but Fernandes finally got Portugal’s equaliser with a well-struck 54th-minute shot from the edge of the area that Scotland keeper Angus Gunn could not keep out.
Ronaldo, who came on for the second half, hit the post late on with a header but made no mistake when he got on the end of a low Nuno Mendes cross.
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