Kiev (AFP)
Spain lost in Ukraine 1-0 Tuesday in Kiev in the League of Nations, but retained the lead of group 4 in front of Germany, hung at home by Switzerland (3-3).
Faced with a well-organized defense and a very good goalkeeper, Georgiy Bushchan, La Roja did not know how to find the fault despite many attempts and even ended up conceding a goal from Viktor Tsygankov (76th) on a quickly led against.
It is a halt for Spain who had not lost since November 2018 and a great achievement for Ukraine who had never beaten the Spaniards.
Andrei Shevchenko's side are also getting a nice revenge after the scathing 4-0 defeat in Madrid in September.
This first victory of the Ukrainians against the Spaniards was cheered by around 15,000 spectators, admitted to the Olympic stadium in Kiev after the easing of restrictions imposed to limit the progression of the new coronavirus.
Terribly weakened by the defections of a dozen of its players due to Covid-19 and injuries, the Ukrainians had yet conceded a painful 7-1 during a friendly match against France in Saint-Denis a week before to lose 2-1 to Germany in Kiev on Saturday.
Spain remain at the top of the group with seven points ahead of Germany, 2nd by one point after conceding a 3-3 draw in Cologne, and Ukraine, 3rd but beaten on goal difference by Joachim's team Löw.
The Swiss bring up the rear with two points.
Spain will travel to Switzerland on November 14 before receiving Germany on November 17 in a decisive shock for the head of the group.
© 2020 AFP