Swiss guards suffocate Spain

IT IS hard at the best of times to hear yourselves think at a World Cup stadium, with the drone of vuvuzelas matched by thumping rock music at half-time and after the games.

But there was an audible murmur of disbelief in the magnificent Moses Mahbida stadium when it was announced that Gelson Fernandes had been named man of the match.

Because for the all his tireless running and the decisive goal in the 52nd minute that he described as an “historic” moment for his country, this stunning victory was based on an outstanding display of defending from the Swiss.