Spain and Germany both had setbacks in the Nations League on Tuesday.
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The Spaniards lost to the Ukraine for the first time while the Germans were held to a draw by Switzerland, who are bottom of League A Group 4.
Spain retained the group lead despite a 1-0 defeat in Kiev in a match attended by about 15,000 fans at the Olympic Stadium.
Germany went two goals down in the first 26 minutes but salvaged a 3-3 draw with the Swiss in a game played in Cologne with no fans due to rising coronavirus infections in the area.
Spain have seven points from four matches, one point more than Germany and Ukraine, followed by Switzerland with two points.
In the final round in November, Spain visit Switzerland and then host Germany while Ukraine are on the road to face Joachim Loew's men before they wrap up their group campaign against the Swiss.
Viktor Tsygankov scored shortly after coming off the bench in the second half to nab Ukraine's first goal in 17 years against La Roja.
The substitute took David de Gea by surprise when he fired a shot from outside the area into the net to complete a counter attack in the 76th minute.
"I don't even need to say anything because my players have said everything with their attitude and commitment," Ukraine coach Andriy Shevchenko told reporters.
Young guns Ansu Fati and Adama Traore - touted as the future of Spain's national team - started together for the first time but couldn't help find an equaliser.
"I've lost many games like this in my career, when you are playing better but the opponent grows in confidence then scores on the counter attack," Spain coach Luis Enrique.
"But overall I liked what I saw from my players."
Ukraine goalkeeper Georgiy Bushchan made several key saves to keep Spain scoreless for the first time in a Nations League match.
Germany fought back to draw with Switzerland after another error-strewn performance.
Mario Gavranovic and Remo Freuler gave the Swiss a buffer before Timo Werner replied in the 29th and Kai Havertz equalised in the 55th.
Gavranovic's second restored Switzerland's advantage but a brilliant Serge Gnabry's back-heel flick on the hour gave the hosts a point.
"It was extremely intense. We started badly but showed great attitude in coming back. That was positive," Germany coach Joachim Loew said.
The game marked midfielder Toni Kroos' 100th international for Germany.
Elsewhere, C1 leaders Montenegro lost 2-1 to Luxembourg while Cyprus picked up their first point with a goalless draw against Azerbaijan.
The Faroe Islands beat Andorra 2-0 to move five points clear of Malta, who accounted for Latvia 1-0, at the head of D1 while Liechtenstein and San Marino drew 0-0 in D2.
Australian Associated Press
