Mikel Oyarzabal the difference as Spain defeat Switzerland

Mikel Oyarzabal scored a first half winner for Spain against Switzerland as Adama Traore made his competitive international debut off the bench.

Luis Enrique handed Barcelona’s Ansu Fati a place in his starting lineup, with the 17-year-old sensation forming a fluid and interchangeable front four alongside Dani Olmo, Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres.

Oyarzabal grabbed the opener after 14 minutes, with Mikel Merino pouncing on a loose ball out from the back by Yann Sommer and the ball presented to his Real Sociedad teammate 16 yards out. Oyarzabal made no mistake in finishing on the swivel.

Traore was introduced off the bench in the second half to give Spain some fresh energy in the attacking third. The Wolves winger did just that with a series of electrifying runs, but the scoreline remained the same as the hosts tightened their grip on top spot in League A Group 4.

Enrique selected a front four of Ansu, Olmo, Oyarzabal and Torres for this match, but not one an orthodox centre forward. A lack of goals has been a common talking point around Spain of late and this performance will do little to ease concerns they lack a true goalscorer to lead the line. What Enrique would give for a Fernando Torres or David Villa, or even a peak Diego Costa, at this moment in time.

There is a place up for grabs alongside Sergio Busquets in the Spain midfield and Merino staked a claim for it to be his in the long term with this performance. The Real Sociedad midfielder led Spain’s high press from the centre of the pitch and forced the error which led to Oyarzabal’s winner. Merino could quickly become one of the first names on the team sheet if he keeps this up.

Spain - De Gea 7, Navas 7, Ramos 7, Torres 6, Gaya 6, Busquets 6, Olmo 6, Merino 8, Ferran Torres 5, Oyarzabal 6, Fati 5. Subs - Canales 5, Traore 7, Moreno 4, Rodri 3.

Switzerland - Sommer 4, Widmer 6, Elvedi 6, Schar 5, Rodriguez 5, Benito 6, Sow 5, Xhaka 5, Freuler 6, Seferovic 5, Mehmedi 6. Subs - Shaqiri 5, Vargas 5, Zuber 4, Fernandes 3, Gavranovic 3.

14’ GOAL! Spain 1-0 Switzerland: Switzerland shoot themselves in the foot and Spain take the lead! Sommer's short pass out from the back presents the hosts with a chance inside the penalty box, with Merino winning it and Oyarzabal firing past the Swiss goalkeeper on the turn!

54’ Off the post! How didn't that go in? Navas' shot from distance is saved by Sommer, but the ball deflects up on to Oyarzabal and off the post. That should have been a second Spain goal!

Mikel Oyarzabal scored his third goal for Spain, finding the net in back-to-back games for the national team.

Adama Traore completed four take-ons for Spain, more than any other player on the pitch, despite playing only 33 minutes.