Group B: Co-favourites Spain are working their way to the opening win

Hard work instead of playful ease: Spain found it extremely difficult in the German preliminary round group B against outsiders Finland. In the 4-1 (2-1) victory, the Iberians even had to chase after an early deficit early on Friday evening (July 8th, 2022).

The Spaniards, considered favorites before the tournament, had hardly set themselves up on Milton Keynes’ pitch when they were already behind: Finland’s experienced defender Anna Westerlund played a long ball up front and promptly found her team-mate Linda Charlotte Sällström. Left alone by her guard Maria Leon, the 33-year-old had no trouble shooting into the far corner from a half-right position from ten yards out – the score was 0-1 (1st).

Low blow for Spain

Another blow for the Spaniards, who had suffered the loss of their strongest player just a few days before the start of the tournament. World footballer Alexia Putellas suffered a cruciate ligament tear in training. And now this: 0:1 after only a few seconds against the blatant outsider Finland.

After all, it didn’t take long for the women from the Iberian Peninsula to sort themselves out. They took control of the game against increasingly defensive Finns, who at times could hardly get out of their own half. However, there were initially few great opportunities. Only an unfortunate cross from Leila, which landed on the crossbar of the Finnish goal, caused an outcry from the crowd.

Captain takes over – header to 1:1

The increasingly annoyed Spaniards needed a set piece to equalize: After a corner kick, captain Irene Paredes climbed the highest and headed in to make it 1-1 (26′). Finland’s goalie Tinja-Riika Korpela didn’t look good. The keeper acted too hesitantly when running out. Not the only uncertainty of the goalkeeper, who is in the box in everyday life for the English club Tottenham Hotspur.

Spain now became more confident – and scored the long-deserved lead before the break whistle: Aitana Bonmati ran exemplary into a cross from defender Leon and headed in with an arc lamp in the 41st minute to make it 2-1.

Spain has the game under control

In the second period, Spain got the game under control. Although the opponents now dared a little more from their defensive bulwark, they could not create any real chances. The team of the Spanish coach Jorge Vilda had it.

The best was missed in the 61st minute by defender Leon, who narrowly failed to hit keeper Korpela with a header from ten meters out. Shortly before that, Ona Batlle’s shot into the near corner was denied by the increasingly improving Finnish goalkeeper.

Third header – 3:1

However, Korpela then had no chance with the third Spanish header of the game: After a free kick from the inside right, Lucia Garcia was the fastest on the ball and headed into the near corner from eight meters to make it 3-1 (75 ‘). And in stoppage time, Mariona Caldentey converted a penalty kick to make it 4-1. Spain had their mandatory win at the start of the tournament in their pockets.