World Cup favourites Spain suffered a shock defeat by Switzerland as South Africa 2010 served up its first major upset.

The European champions from Spain enjoyed almost total control of the game in Durban but were wasteful in front of goal and went behind after 52 minutes when a long ball found its way through to Gelson Fernandes, who bundled it into the net.

With Barcelona trio David Villa, Andres Iniesta and Xavi unable to conjure a breakthrough, coach Vicente Del Bosque threw on Fernando Torres, Jesus Navas and Pedro, but to no avail as the Spanish slumped to only their second defeat in 49 games.

The result piles pressure on Spain, who were widely-tipped to finally end decades of underachievement on the game’s biggest stage and Del Bosque’s men could now be forced to face Brazil in the second round if they finish Group H as runners-up. Chile beat Honduras 1-0 in the earlier match.

For the unfancied Swiss, it was a historic first victory over the Spanish and another triumph in the glittering career of their German coach Ottmar Hitzveld.

Del Bosque’s men had quickly settled into their rhythmic short passing game and, with Switzerland struggling to get the ball out of their own half, the match came to resemble a training session.

The first real opening fell to Spain right-back Sergio Ramos, who received the ball in space on the right before dragging his shot wastefully wide, much to the anger of his better-placed team-mates Xavi and David Villa.

Moments later, Iniesta slipped a pass through to Gerard Pique, who cut inside his man before firing straight at goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.

The next attack saw David Silva chip a delightful ball over the Switzerland defence for Iniesta, who was brought down on the edge of the area as he tried to get his shot away. Villa fired the resultant free-kick straight at the wall.

The Swiss were forced into a change midway through the half when former Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos limped off with a foot injury and was replaced by Steve Von Bergen.

Lone striker Villa looked skilful and lively, but when he finally found space in the box, he opted to pass, and chipped tamely across the face of goal.

The second half began in a similar vein until the Swiss took the lead with the first real attack of the game.

A long goal-kick was flicked through to Eren Derdiyok, who bundled it past goalkeeper Iker Casillas and the falling Pique to leave former Manchester City midfielder Fernandes with a simple finish.

Spain, who won all 10 of their World Cup qualifiers, looked visibly shaken and Del Bosque responded by sending on Torres and Navas just after the hour mark.

Iniesta and Torres both curled shots wide before former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso almost broke the crossbar with a stunning strike from just outside the area.

With Spain committing more men forward, the game became stretched and Switzerland came within a whisker of taking a 2-0 lead when Derdiyok cut inside Pique and Carles Puyol before flicking a shot which had Casillas beaten but bounced back off the post.

The last 10 minutes were a predictable Spanish onslaught but, with Torres looking rusty on his return from knee surgery, Spain seemed to run out of ideas as their efforts became increasingly desperate.

As it was, Switzerland held firm for a truly memorable victory - their first in a World Cup opener since 1954.

Source (article): BBCNEWS

Source (picture): TELEGRAPH.CO.UK

MILAN, Italy - David Beckham left his hotel on crutches and headed to the airport Monday morning to catch a flight to Finland for surgery on his torn left Achilles’ tendon.

The former England captain was injured in the closing minutes of AC Milan’s 1-0 win over Chievo Verona on Sunday.

With his hopes of becoming the first English player to appear in four World Cups shattered and his future in international soccer in doubt, Beckham was slated for surgery either later Monday or Tuesday morning with specialist surgeon Dr. Sakari Orava.

Beckham has been staying at the Principe di Savoia hotel during his second loan stint with Milan and he exited on crutches Monday, getting into a car with his father for the trip.

Wearing jeans, a white shirt and a hat, Beckham got into the front seat with a bit of difficulty and his father got into the back seat. Beckham’s luggage was loaded into a separate car and it was unclear where Beckham will go for rehab immediately after surgery.

Beckham did not respond to questions, never making eye contact with assembled media.

On Sunday, a person familiar with the injury told The Associated Press that “he will miss the World Cup for sure.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement had not been made. The person said it was likely the 34-year-old midfielder will play again.

England coach Fabio Capello agreed.

“We have to wait for the results of the scan, but it looks like he is out of the World Cup,” Capello said. “David is a great professional and has worked very hard to be ready for the World Cup, so missing it will be a big blow.”

Orava told Finnish broadcaster YLE on Monday that it’s not realistic to expect Beckham to be ready just three months after surgery but added that such “miraculous” recoveries have happened before.

Orava said “there’s a little glimmer of hope still alive here.”

With only a few minutes remaining in Sunday’s game and the score 0-0, Beckham was by himself in the center circle when he trapped a pass with his left foot, took an awkward step back, then stepped forward and started hopping on his right foot with an expression of pain on his face. He reached a hand down to his left heel, then stood up and gestured as if breaking a twig in half in a gesture to show the AC Milan bench he knew the tendon was broken.

Visibly in pain and in tears, Beckham went to the sideline for medical attention, leaving Milan a man short because all three substitutes had been used.

Club physician Jean Pierre Meersseman told Italy’s Sky TV that Beckham will fly to Finland, where he will be treated by specialist surgeon Dr. Sakari Orava.

While Beckham has not been a starter for England in recent matches, he was likely to make the World Cup roster as a reserve and looked forward to the high-profile June 12 matchup against the United States — and Los Angeles Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan. Although no longer a top player, Beckham was still prized for his free kicks and crosses, especially when England needed second-half goals.

And for many, he was the most-known soccer player in the world, a fashion icon with a celebrity wife, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham. A 2002 movie was even named after him, “Bend it Like Beckham.”

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was on his second loan stint to AC Milan from the Galaxy as he tried to boost his chances of making Capello’s 23-man World Cup roster. With no chance to play in the World Cup, his international career is likely over after 17 goals and 115 appearances, second in English history behind only goalkeeper Peter Shilton’s 125 matches from 1970-90.

Beckham was England’s captain from November 2000 through the 2006 World Cup.

It was yet another blow for Major League Soccer, already facing the threat of a players’ strike ahead of the season opener on March

25. Beckham is the league’s highest-paid player with a $32.5 million, five-year contract — and its biggest draw.

“We just received the information about David’s unfortunate injury,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said. “We wish him a speedy recovery.”

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said it was too early to tell exactly how long Beckham, who was due to join Los Angeles after the World Cup, will be out. Arena didn’t want to discuss the impact the injury would have on the season. He wouldn’t blame the injury on the loan.

“Players get hurt whether they’re on loan or not,” he said. “Injuries are unfortunately part of the game.”

Source (article):MSNBC

Source (picture): THEEXAMINER.COM