MADRID, 17 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The senior women’s team beat Denmark this Saturday (0-1) in the last match of the group stage of the European Championship, a victory that gave Jorge Vilda’s team the pass to the quarterfinals for the third consecutive time in a European , the second victory of the national team in the event, something that had never happened before in a major tournament.
A historic record for this generation, which also clears safely and with good football the doubts that have surrounded the 23 players after the unexpected defeat (0-2) due to forms against Germany last Tuesday in the second match of the group stage , after arriving at the tournament as one of the candidates.
The last-gasp victory thanks to a goal from Marta Cardona in the 90th minute against a rocky Denmark is a blow on the national team table. Somewhat thicker in definition and effectiveness in front of goal, ‘La Roja’ once again dominated possession and lived most of the time in the Danish field. Thus, this victory gives more confidence and security to the Spanish style, which will now collide with the host England, which has had an impeccable group stage, in the quarterfinals.
But this triumph supposes much more than three points. The team managed this Saturday to add its second victory so far in the European Championship, something that had never happened in a major tournament.
At European Championship level, Spain has four participations, taking into account the tournament that is being held in England. It was in the event held in 1997 in Norway and Sweden when he achieved his best result, with a third place, but he achieved it only with a victory in his locker – he beat Russia (0-1) in the group stage.
At EURO 2013, the Spanish team reached the quarter-finals and played four games in the tournament, also adding just one victory over England (2-3) in the group stage. Same balance as in the following edition in 2017, when they beat Portugal (2-0), also in the group round.
Same luck in the World Cups. So far, Spain has only participated in two editions; in the first, held in Canada in 2015, the national team could only add a draw (1-1) in its debut against Costa Rica, without advancing from the group stage after finishing said round in last place, paired with Brazil, Korea del Sur and the ‘tico’ team.
Something better went for them in the last World Cup that France hosted in 2019. There, Jorge Vilda’s men, already with the hard core that this year is the protagonist in the European Championship in England, reached the round of 16, where they lost to the United States, but they had previously beaten South Africa in the group stage.
Thus, this Saturday’s victory against Denmark is much more than three points, because it means taking a qualitative leap in terms of weight and presence in a major tournament. To continue expanding and improving this historic record, Spain will have to beat the hosts England this Wednesday (9:00 p.m.), who have completed a perfect group stage, with 14 goals for and none against.