went out vilda with its eleven more or less fixed and an untouchable midfield. Alexia, father and Aitana. The same trident that works so well in Barça’s midfield. It was the last test before the summer European Championship and the Spanish team wanted to close their participation in the Arnold Clark Cup with a victory against the Olympic champions.
ESP
DOG
Spain
Lola; Leila (O. Carmona, 46′), Mapi León, Ivana Andrés, Sheila García; Aitana (Esther, 59′), Alexia, Patri; Cardona (L. Garcia, 59′); Jenni Hermoso (Eizagirre, 71′); Athena (Amaiur, 93′)
Canada
Sheridan (D’Angelo, 46′); Buchanan, Lawrence, Sheridan, Zadorsky; Alidou (Quinn, 46′), Scott (Grosso, 54′), Fleming, Riviere (Carle, 54′), Huitema (Prince, 64′), Beckie (Lacasse, 77′), Rose
Referee
Yellow card for Patri Guijarro and Olga Carmona (ESP) and Quinn and Lacasse (CAN). Molineux Stadium.
From less to more
As soon as the match started, Canada warned in a dangerous action for Lola Gallardo. Leilawhich would be one of the best in the first half, prevented the shot from Huitema, alone at the penalty spot, ended up in the back of the net. After the initial scare, Spain, which had started hesitantly, took a step forward and, through possession, sought to gain control of the match. those of Priestman they played the opposite: collected and organized behind while paying attention to any counter to go on the attack. They exerted individualized pressure to try to neutralize players like Alexia or Aitana. I asked for calm vilda.
The Spanish players began to approach the area and even crossed dangerously on more than one occasion. But they couldn’t find finishers. Particularly noteworthy was the good connection between Alexia and Athenaand also between that of Mollet and Leila. From this last duo was born the goal that would open the scoring and put Spain ahead on the scoreboard. precise center of Leila who let go free Beautiful Jenny so that Alexia finish off at will and send the leather to the meshes.
The Americans reacted and their clearest chance came. After a cross on a lateral foul, Huitema, unmarked, finished off with a powerful header. He brushed just right with his fingers Lola Gallardo so that the ball crashed into the crossbar. Canada grew on this occasion and raised the pressure line. This time it was the Spanish who avoided risks with a defensive withdrawal and sought to maintain the advantage until the end of the first half.
clash of titans
After the break, with changes in both teams, little changed the script of the first forty-five minutes. A true duel of titans with maximum equality was being played at Molineux. Round trip stretch in which both teams had opportunities to score. Athena and Martha Cardonafor Spain. flemingfor Canada.
had it Alexia to put land in the middle with a header, after a center of Esther Gonzalez, which ended up crashing against the crossbar. The clock advanced and the result was kept in the electronic. But the pace of the match did not slow down. They didn’t give up either. Priestman and, in their tireless search for a tie, they increased their intensity one more degree.
They benefited from the entry of Prince. Theirs were the two clearest chances for the Americans. But they mistook speed for precipitation and that took its toll on them. never found himself in trouble Lola Gallardoalways well protected by Mapi Leon and Sheila.
Waiting for England and with an eye on the European Championship
Without time for more, the Spanish team knew how to defend the result well, even in the six minutes of added time, which made them winners of the duel at Molineux. And with the question of whether a ‘prick’ from England against Germany would make them champions of the tournament, they went to the locker room satisfied with having competed against three of the best teams in the world.
Spain successfully passed the test before the European Championship and took home a list of aspects to work on. Next stop, England.