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Spain 1 Switzerland 1: Manchester United ace David de Gea blunder gifts Swiss equaliser

Old Trafford hero rarely puts a foot wrong but his hands were the problem as he spilled a tame shot

DAVID DE GEA produced an unlikely blunder to hand Switzerland a draw in the World Cup warm-up match with Spain.

Alvaro Odriozola had given Los Rojas an expected first-half lead and it seemed a certainty the home side would see it out or add to their tally.

 Spain and Manchester United ace David de Gea made a surprise mistake
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Spain and Manchester United ace David de Gea made a surprise mistakeCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

But the Manchester United star spilled a tame shot into the path of Ricardo Rodriguez who prodded home a gift of an equaliser.

Without their Real Madrid stars who are still sleeping off their Champions League win, and the hangover of Zinedine Zidane’s shock exit, Spain made it 18 games without a loss.

Real Sociedad youngster Odriozola got the opener with an assist from the sublime Manchester City midfielder David Silva.

There was one moment of concern when Andres Iniesta got a whack on the knee – just days before the Russia tournament – but some magic spray helped him through before being subbed.

 Manchester United keeper David de Gea made a shock mistake
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Manchester United keeper David de Gea made a shock mistakeCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Real Sociedad youngster Alvaro Odriozola got the opener from long range
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Real Sociedad youngster Alvaro Odriozola got the opener from long rangeCredit: EPA
 Alvaro Odriozola was assisted by Man City playmaker David Silva
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Alvaro Odriozola was assisted by Man City playmaker David SilvaCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
 David de Gea fumbled a tame shot into Rodriguez
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David de Gea fumbled a tame shot into RodriguezCredit: EPA

Just before the 30-minute mark, the home side took the lead through the 22-year-old prospect.

Switzerland dithered in trying to clear a bouncing ball and let silky Silva loop in a left-footed cross.

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The delivery fell perfectly into Odriozola’s path and his right-foot volley raced into the bottom left corner.

On the hour mark, it looked like Diego Costa might double the lead with a Gareth Bale impression but the ball was nodded out of the path of his flying bicycle kick.

It fell, instead, to the feet of former Liverpool forward Lago Aspas and he crashed the ball wide of the post.

 Switzerland star Ricardo Rodriguez punished David de Gea
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Switzerland star Ricardo Rodriguez punished David de GeaCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Ricardo Rodriguez reacted first to David de Geas error
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Ricardo Rodriguez reacted first to David de Geas errorCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

And the visitors went straight up the other end to level thanks to a rare De Gea error.

Arsenal target Stephan Lichsteiner took a left-footed shot that the Old Trafford hero looked to have covered comfortably.

But he managed to spill the ball onto the boots of Rodriguez who bundled it in.

Spain had a couple of chances to win the game but Nacho twice missed from close range before the final whistle rang out.

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