A win for Spain to dream at the gates of the Euro

Hit to dream. With eleven days to go until the European Championship in England begins -from July 6 to 31-, Spain won a resounding victory against Australia in their first warm-up friendly. those of Wild They presented their credentials against a powerful and level rival, who was fourth in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, although they did not have their top star on the field, Sam Kerr, the Chelsea striker who has been MVP and top scorer in the English league, who is injured.

With a young and renewed block, the ‘Matildas’ were a true litmus test for Spain, which was able to show off and put into play its offensive, touch and possession system that is becoming its hallmark – the same one that has led it to the Undefeated Euro-, in a game that served the coach to finish defining the definitive team that will travel to England.

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Spain brought out its gala team, with Mapi León out due to covid, while Real Madrid striker Esther González did not come out from the start having been training this week on the sidelines due to some discomfort. It was feared that the absence of Jenni Hermoso, La Roja’s all-time top scorer, was going to be greatly missed, but Spain proved to have resources in attack to make up for this sensitive loss.

Gallery

Spain dominated their rival from the start, but found themselves with the usual ghosts from the start: a lot of possession and few goals. Thus, in the first half he dominated the ball and imposed his rhythm, although he lacked spark and speed to make his dangerous plays. Australia locked themselves back, predictably, taking the pressure and looking for their opportunity on the counterattack.

Spain already warned in the first minute of the game with a mid-height ball into the area that Lucía García managed to touch with her toe, but goalkeeper Micah was quick. In minute 3, Leila’s center that catches Micah. In the 16th minute, a goal from Amaiur Sarriegi after a center by Leila that Aitana touched in the first instance, but the Real striker was offside in the shot.

Shortly thereafter the occasion was Patri Pebble, with a shot from the Mallorcan that went over the crossbar. In minute 37, Mariona, also a Barça player, demonstrated her tremendous quality with a great action down the left wing, including a pipe to a visiting defender. Spain tried but could not find the goal. Australia, well positioned, defended tooth and nail.

At the stroke of half-time, after occasions from an incisive Alexia and another from Amaiur, the reward for insistence came in a great goal from Aitana Bonmatí, a left-footed shot that entered the top corner to do justice to the scoreboard. It is the goal number 15 of the azulgrana with the Red.

Wild moved the bench after the break and entered Esther e Irene warrior by Aitana and Amaiur. Three minutes after the break, Mariona scored the second with a shot from 30 meters from the Balearic Islands that caught Williams off balance. And in minute 53, Esther followed, after a corner kick that, after several rebounds, was picked up by the white player to score with a header.

The pressure from Spain was suffocating, while Australia could barely give three touches in a row. Lucia Garcia sentenced twice: in the 57th minute he headed a goal from a cross from Mariona and in the 80th minute, he made a great cut in the area to put the ball close to the opposite post. Irene put the icing on the cake with two goals just one minute apart in the 89th minute. The fans bid the team farewell with applause after enjoying a great match from Spain from Huelva.