The Swiss produced a determined and hard-working performance to get the better of the Spaniards, who had the better of the chances, but appeared rusty.
Switzerland’s Gelson Fernandes put them ahead after a long-ball forward from the goalkeeper kindly fell into his path.
Spain’s Fernando Torres, who had missed the last two months at club level due to injury, came off the bench after the opener and had several chances to equalize but failed to convert.
Ultimately it was a disappointing day for the 2008 European champions and World Cup favourites.
Spain boss Vicente del Bosque was critical of the Swiss tactics when he spoke after the game.
“They played a defensive game and tried to take advantage of any counter-attack and dead-ball situation,” he said.
“I feel it’s an excessive prize for them considering the football they displayed.
“They did play well in defence. We came for the win and this time it has escaped us.”
Del Bosque added: “We tried to find solutions on our wings, putting on another striker in Fernando Torres.
“Our football is not just to have ball possession but also find depth in our play. We had opportunities especially in the first half to have resolved the game.
“It’s not a good sign we send to our rivals. But we have to hit back and try to win our next two group games.”
Indeed, Spain are far from eliminated from the tournament, but they’ll need to defeat both of their other group opponents, Honduras and Chile.
“Each game is different,” he said. “We have arrived up to here playing a certain way and we will not lose our identity.
“In football you can always lose but I feel a sense of avenging this defeat. We cannot conform ourselves with saying what bad luck.”
It may be a setback for the Spanish, but it is early days and more than likely, it is a minor setback.
In some ways, it’s better to get this result out of the way, when it’s not a knockout match.
Despite the loss, the Spanish will still be considered by many the tournament favourites.
Sure, the Swiss showed there is a way to defeat them, but it required a lot of luck, as well as the Spanish being off their game a touch.
You fancy, the Spaniards will be better for the run.