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Switzerland hold Spain, easy for Peru
Reuters
Last Updated IST
Switzerland's defender Ricardo Rodriguez (right) celebrates his goal with teammates during their game against Spain on Sunday. AFP
Switzerland's defender Ricardo Rodriguez (right) celebrates his goal with teammates during their game against Spain on Sunday. AFP

Spain goalkeeper David de Gea made a rare error which led to his side drawing 1-1 at home to Switzerland in a World Cup warm-up friendly on Sunday which the hosts dominated but failed to make their superior possession count.

Real Sociedad right-back Alvaro Odriozola scored his first international goal with an impressive volley to give the 2010 World Cup winners the lead in the 29th minute at Villarreal's La Ceramica stadium following a dominant start.

Switzerland full-back Ricardo Rodriguez tucked into an empty net to level in the 62nd after an uncharacteristically sloppy piece of goalkeeping from De Gea, who failed to hold a weak shot from Stephan Lichtsteiner.

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"We did many things well although we didn't take the chances we have, but the fact we played with intensity and continuity against a team as strong as Switzerland is the most important thing," Spain coach Julen Lopetegui told reporters.

"I'm sure in other games we'll be able to make the most of half the amount of chances we had. I'm pleased that we were able to create lots of chances and they barely created opportunities against us."

Lopetegui started without any players who had helped Real Madrid win last weekend's Champions League final against Liverpool while Barcelona holding midfielder Sergio Busquets was a late absentee with a stomach bug.

Lopetegui's side had two-thirds of possession and looked in control of the game until De Gea's mishap, although they lacked dynamism and were a far cry from the ruthless side that had hammered Argentina 6-1 in their last match.

Veteran midfielder Andres Iniesta pulled the strings for Spain in his last appearance on home soil before his expected retirement from international football but was substituted early in the second half as a precaution after banging his knee.

The hosts initially lost momentum after Iniesta left the pitch but they finished the game strongly and substitute Nacho twice came close to snatching a late winner, clipping the post and heading just wide.

Guerrero sparkles

Peru captain Paolo Guerrero celebrated his reprieve from a doping ban in style on Sunday, scoring twice in a 3-0 friendly win over Saudi Arabia three days after being given the all-clear to play at his first World Cup.

The 34-year-old netted Peru's second and third goals as they outclassed their fellow World Cup qualifiers in the Swiss town of St Gallen after Andre Carrillo had opened the scoring with a stunning volley.

The game was played in a raucous atmosphere in front of a capacity 18,000 crowd, nearly all Peruvians who had travelled from neighbouring countries for a glimpse of their team which has qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 36 years.

Peru, who face Denmark, France and Australia in their first-round group, dominated the game as they extended their unbeaten run to 14 games.

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(Published 04 June 2018, 15:56 IST)