Fernandes clipped the ball into the net in the 52nd minute, ending Spain's run of 12 straight wins and handing the Spanish team its second loss in 50 games. Spain's only other loss during the stretch was to the United States, at the Confederations Cup in South Africa last year.
Spain outshot the Swiss 24-8 and held the ball 63 percent of the time, but could find no way through Switzerland's determined defense.
It was Switzerland's first win over Spain.
Eren Derdiyok created Switzerland's goal by surging through the center of Spain's defense and rounding Iker Casillas on one of Switzerland's rare attacks. Gerard Pique's desperate tackle stopped Derdiyok, but Fernandes was on hand to pounce on the loose ball and score.
At the final whistle, Fernandes fell to his knees and raised both arms to the sky. The entire team then went to the small section of Swiss fans in the Moses Mabhida Stadium and saluted them as they cheered and rang alpine cow bells.
Derdiyok nearly doubled the Swiss lead in the 75th minute when he shrugged off Carlos Puyol's tackle and poked the ball past Casillas only to see the shot rebound off the post.
Spain Midfielder Xabi Alonso came closest to equalizing when his powerful drive in the 70th minute slammed into the cross bar.
Spain's misery was compounded when Andres Iniesta was substituted in the 77th minute after a crunching tackle from Stephan Lichtsteiner.
Switzerland was knocked out of the last World Cup on penalties by Ukraine in the round of 16 without conceding a goal in the tournament and has now gone 490 minutes without giving up a World Cup goal.
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