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Switzerland beat Spain 1-0
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Switzerland pulled off a shock victory at the World Cup on Wednesday, beating Eurpean champion Spain 1-0 in their opening group match.
Gelson Fernandes bundled the ball into the net in the 52nd minute in one of Switzerland's few attacks, ending Spain's 12-match winning streak and handing the Spanish team only its second loss in 50 games.
Eren Derdiyok created Switzerland's goal by surging through the center of Spain's defense and getting around goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Gerard Pique's tackle stopped Derdiyok, but Fernandes pounced on the loose ball and forced it into the net.
Spain, one of the pre-tournament favorites, dominated possession throughout the match, but could find no way through Switzerland's determined defense.
At the final whistle, Fernandes fell to his knees and raised both arms to the sky. The entire team then went to the small section of Swiss fans at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and saluted them as they cheered and rang cow bells.
History was not on Spain's side: Only two of the last eight reigning European champions had won their opening match at the World Cup - France in 1986 and Germany in 1998. And Spain has not advanced past the World Cup quarterfinals since its best finish of fourth in 1950.
Derdiyok nearly doubled the Swiss lead in the 75th minute when he shrugged off Carlos Puyol's tackle and poked the ball past Casillas, but the shot hit the post.
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