The national team, without its regulars and with eight Real Madrid starters, vindicated itself and stood up to the Olympic runner-up in Córdoba (1-1)
The previous match between Spain and Sweden was in 2002. Then the national team could hardly even compete with one of the world powers. Twenty years later, the selection is at another level and Jorge Vilda thought he had the best opportunity to claim the evolution and quality of Spanish women’s football, but the resignation of the 15 internationals -and the absence of the captains Irene Paredes, Alexia Putellas and Jenni Hermoso- prevented her from betting on her gala eleven, although not standing up to the Olympic runner-up.
The team had scheduled two friendlies for the month of October against Sweden Y USA, first and third in the FIFA ranking, two duels that could be the best preparation for the World Cup that will take place in 10 months. But the plans did not go exactly as the RFEF wanted. And in the absence of options, Vilda opted for eight Real Madrid players in his starting eleven, something that only had a precedent with FC Barcelona. But to the surprise of Sweden, the evolution of Spain is not limited to the 15 internationals. And the team drew (1-1) against one of the best teams on the international scene.
Boos for the technician
The 5,658 fans who attended the Arcángel showed their support for the 15 soccer players and they booed the coach when his name sounded over the megaphone. It was a complicated match for the national team, both in sports and non-sports. Only Esther, Teresa Abelleira and Olga Carmona remained from that starting eleven for the quarterfinals of the European Championship against England. And it was noticed at the beginning with a team that showed insecurity, and that left many more spaces than in previous games.
Sweden did not yield. exhibited physical superiority from the start, easily stopping the team’s counterattacks and creating danger in the penalty area. Mass Rodriguez. The Swedes’ first goal came after 15 minutes of play, when the Spanish team had barely shot once on goal, with a shot by Alba Redondo. It was the azulgrana Rolfo who started the play of the goal, passing the ball to the former madridista Asllaniwho attended Blomqvist to score the first goal of the match.
Athena the best
Spain, however, went from less to more and showed much more confidence and fluidity as the minutes went by. The protagonist of attack was Alba Redondo, who tried it at the end of the first half after a cross from captain Ivana Andrés, but the ball ended up leaving inches from the right post.
The best version of the team came after the break. Redondo had the first chance again, which touched the post. And it was followed by a great shot from Athena, the player who stood out the most in the entire match. But the success punished the national team again. Neither Alba, nor Esther, nor Athenea could beat the goalkeeper. they had four clear chances in just over 20 minutes, but Musovic prevented them from equalizing until the end of the match.
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The team managed to be superior in the second half, in which they annulled Sweden’s offensive potential. the draw came of Marta Cardona’s boots, who returned to claim after a season in which he even considered leaving football. The soccer player signed the tie when she had not even been on the pitch for 10 minutes. After a rejection by the Swedes from a corner, the Atlético player scored the equalizer for the national team after an assist from Irene Guerrero. Cardona is ready to face the world champion on Tuesday: “We can compete with anyone. We have no fear.”
Vilda sticks out her chest
Vilda, after the criticism of recent weeks, stuck her neck out before a meritorious draw: “I liked many things. All my players have competed, I congratulate them. We started with doubts against the third in the world, but then we let go. The second part has been ours. We have been the Spain that we want to be and it has been shown that there is a team”he concluded.