Spain vs Switzerland. International Match.
Estadio de la CeramicaAttendance18,350.
Monday 4 June 2018 06:10, UK
A rare David De Gea mistake helped Switzerland to a 1-1 draw with Spain in a World Cup warm-up match on Sunday night.
The hosts opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark thanks to Alvaro Odriozola's crisp volley from the edge of the area, the young right-back's first goal for his country in just his third appearance.
However, De Gea's error allowed Ricardo Rodriguez to level matters on 62 minutes as both teams geared up for Russia 2018 with a useful run-out at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Julen Lopetegui fielded a weakened starting line-up in Villarreal after giving his contingent of Real Madrid players more time off following their exertions in last weekend's Champions League final win over Liverpool.
The hosts dominated proceedings in the early stages, almost taking the lead when Thiago Alcantara's well-struck shot produced an excellent save from Yann Sommer.
However, Spain did eventually make the breakthrough after 29 minutes through an unlikely source, Real Sociedad's Odriozola, who was only playing due to an injury to first-choice right-back Dani Carvalhal.
When the ball dropped invitingly at the 22-year-old's feet on the edge of the area, though, he displayed a cool head and a brilliant technique to flash a volley into the bottom left-hand corner of the net - the first goal the Swiss had conceded in 422 minutes.
The only real concern for Lopetegui before the break was the lack of impact from either of his forwards, Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa and Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo, who struggled to strike up any sort of understanding in attack.
The Spain coach brought on Lucas Vazquez in place of Aspas for the second half, only for Switzerland to level matters just past the hour-mark, albeit against the run of play.
There appeared little danger as the visitors passed the ball around the edge of the Spain box, before Stephan Lichtsteiner tested De Gea with a curling effort that appeared to lack the power to really trouble the Manchester United No 1.
De Gea, though, made a hash of the save, fumbling the ball straight at the feet of Rodriguez, who had no problems tapping home from virtually on the goal line as Switzerland warmed up for their World Cup opener with Brazil on June 17 with a morale-boosting draw.
Meanwhile, Spain, who like their opponents have already picked their final 23-man squad for the tournament, face European champions Portugal in their first clash on June 15.
The right back may just have played his way into Julen Lopetegui's starting line-up for Spain's huge World Cup opener against Portugal on June 15 after this assured display in Villarreal.
The 22-year-old was making just his third appearance for his country at the Estadio de la Ceramica, but with Real Madrid's Dani Carvalhal an injury doubt for the tournament, the Real Sociedad player is now the favourite to get the nod at the Fisht Olympic Stadium.
Not only did Odriozola provide his side with an attacking outlet with his constant raids down the right, but more importantly he was also rock solid at the back.
Spain take on Tunisia - England's first World Cup opponents - in Krasnodar on Saturday June 9 in their final warm-up game ahead of the tournament, with the clash getting underway at 7.45pm.
Meanwhile, Switzerland face fellow World Cup finalists Japan in Lugano on Friday June 8, kick-off 6pm, in what will also be Vladimir Petkovic's side last friendly ahead of Russia 2018.
