MADRID, 12 Apr. (SportsFinding) –
The Spanish women’s soccer team certified its qualification for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on Tuesday after beating Scotland 0-2 at Hampden Park, after a game without too much brilliance, but solvent.
Spain returned to the path of victory on its return to official matches after the draw in the friendly in Alicante against Brazil, and also with the added prize of getting the ticket for its third consecutive World Cup, another sign of good health of national women’s football.
The ‘Red’ did not need a great match, which did not have its best electric and quality football, but it was enough for it, with a double by Jennifer Hermoso, to get rid of a Scotland, much more competitive than in November when it conceded a hard 8-0, but without too many arguments to do damage.
Jorge Vilda opted for three central defenders (Mapi León, Ivana Andrés and Andrea Pereira), with Laia Aleixandri as pivot, and with Jenni Hermoso and Esther González up front, flanked by Olga Carmona and Shei García, both lanes, seeking to impose their football against a Scotland that came out strong.
The locals enjoyed a very good chance before the first minute with a run that Carmona took out first near the goal line and then Aleixandri, but as the minutes went by, Spain managed to dominate the match, although it was difficult for them to arrive clearly to Alexander’s goal.
The British team appealed to their physique to counteract the greater visiting quality and made a mistake that declined the balance for their rival. Alexia Putellas caught a ball inside the area and Docherty’s impetus led her to commit an innocent penalty against the captain’s overflow, certified 0-1 by Jenni Hermoso.
From there, the game, despite having rhythm, did not translate at times. Sandra Paños did not have to make any intervention or live with too much concern, while Alexander did not suffer as much as in La Cartuja, although he had to bring down Esther González outside the area when the forward had already overwhelmed him and lent himself to make the 0- 2 in what was the best Spanish occasion until the break.
Spain came out more dominant after going through the changing rooms, but continued without a certain spark in the final meters. Esther González had two options inside the area, but she was unable to complete them, while Scotland had a hard time getting past midfield and she couldn’t even surprise with a counterattack.
Despite this, Pedro Martínez’s team had a good opportunity in Emslie’s boots, but the striker was unable to control the delivery and was too tilted against Sandra Paños’ goal and with time for Shei García to correct. Another scare was a shot by Cuthbert that hit Ivana Andrés and came close to equalizing.
With the more grown locals, Vilda moved the bench with the entry of Bárbara Latorre and Ona Batlle for Esther González and Andrea Pereira to play with four back, although without much time to assimilate them, Jenni Hermoso sentenced after a great heel kick from Alexia Putellas to put heading to a World Cup that not too long ago was presented as almost a feat.