Costa Rica, Zambia, Japan, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden and England have been the opponents of Jorge Vilda’s team on their way to their coronation in Sydney
A ecstasy in seven acts. From the very comfortable debut against Costa Rica on July 21 to the victory in the final against England this August 20. A nailed month in which the team has lived excellent moments, others more distressing and a very tough one, that 0-4 against Japan on the last day of the group stage that caused everything to falter.
Day 1: Spain 3 – Costa Rica 0
Vilda’s debut at the World Cup thrashing Costa Rica (3-0) scoring all three goals in just six minutes. The first goal came from an own goal by Valeria del Campo, rounding off the victory with goals from Aitana Bonmatí and Esther González. Vilda bet on an eleven formed by Mass; Batlle, Paredes, Ivana, Olga Carmona; Aitana, Abelleira; Athenea, Jenni, Salma; and Esther Gonzalez. The ball started to roll and the noise was parked, although body language and gestures on the pitch confirmed that the players are still distanced from the coach.
Matchday 2: Spain 5 – Zambia 0
Spain feasts against Zambia (5-0), confirming their qualification for the round of 16 of the World Cup. Vilda’s men once again show their punch in the rival area, with a great goal from Tere Abelleira and two doublets of Jenni Hermoso and Alba Guerrero. Good feelings ahead of the game against Japan, in which the Spaniards were playing to go through as group leaders to the crosses. A match that Vilda described as “a good test to measure our real potential”.
3rd day: Spain 0 – Japan 4
Spain is overwhelmed by Japan (0-4) in a match in which Vilda’s men dominated possession, but paid dearly for their defensive fragility. Each arrival of the Japanese ended in a goal and Spain passed as second in the group, which crossed them with the Swiss in the round of 16 match. The tranquility that the victories against Costa Rica and Zambia had brought turned into a tense atmosphere in the selection after being beaten. Vilda took the blame for the bad result: “All the responsibility for this defeat is mine” and she took action for the next commitment.
Eighth: Spain 5 – Switzerland 1
Vilda made decisions after the conceded win against Japan and made a revolution in the eleven betting on Tasting Coll; Oihane, Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, Batlle; Aitana Bonmatí, Tere Abelleira, Jenni Hermoso; Alba Redondo, Esther González and Salma. Changes in each line, including the goal, for a historic triumph, with a win that allowed Spain thrash Switzerland (5-1) pass a cross for the first time in a big tournament. the goals of Bonmatí (2), Alba Redondo, Laia Codina and Jenni They unleashed euphoria within an expedition that, now, was turning the page and looking forward two steps from the World Cup final.
Quarters: Spain 2 – Netherlands 1
Spain came up on the wave after thrashing Switzerland and neither the players nor the coach set limits. Everyone was talking about the final, despite taking on a rival with bells like the Dutch. Spain dominated the game, but in the second part they opened up and anything could happen. Mariona Caldentey, who entered the eleven by surprise, made Vilda’s bet good by scoring at 81, but the Dutch equalized at discount. in extra time Salma Palalluelo scored the goal of the final win (2-1), another historical goal of the skill that put Spain in the semifinals, one step away from the title. Vilda took the former athlete out in the second half and placed her as 9 in a key decision that changed the game, scoring the destabilizing goal in the 111th minute.
Semifinals: Spain 2 – Sweden 1
For the semifinal Vilda opted for Alexia Putellas instead of Esther González, looking to partner on the inside with 9-year-old Jenni Hermoso and dominated the ball and the game. The plan went well andSalma’s entrance was once again decisive with another morning goal in the final stretch of the game, minute 81. But as against the Netherlands, the Spanish were unable to defend their lead until the end and the Swedes tied at minute 87. And when everything pointed to the overtime dispute , 63 seconds after the Scandinavian goal, a corner kick in favor of Spain ended with a rehearsed play to free the rival superiority in the aerial game, ended with a kick from Olga Carmona, the captain, who put Vilda’s team in the final (2-1). Spain reached the end of the road. To Sydney.
Final: Spain 1 – England 0
a match for history. Unforgettable for everyone who sat in front of the television. The ecstasy for the goal of Olga Carmonafear and disappointment after the penalty missed by Jenni Beautiful. It ended up being a perfect final, more than deservedly won by a Spain that was much better than England and that took revenge in the quarterfinals of the last European Championship.
A perfect climax to a month of exceptional competition after which nothing will be the same. Neither for Spanish women’s football nor for Spain as a whole.