MADRID, 19 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish women’s soccer team has lost this Sunday against Australia (3-2) in the second day of the Nations Cup, which is being played on Australian soil, a match in which Jorge Vilda’s men were clearly outclassed in the first part and that they were able to make up with two goals in the final stretch.
After thrashing Jamaica (3-0) in their debut in the oceanic competition, the Spanish were unable to beat the ‘Matildas’ at the Commbank Stadium in Sydney and conceded their first defeat since their elimination in the quarterfinals of last Eurocup.
With up to nine novelties in the eleven -only Esther González and Ivana Andrés repeated regarding the duel against the Jamaicans- and betting on a trivote in the midfield, Vilda wanted to ensure control of the game, but the blow from the local team came very soon.
At 11 minutes, Cortnee Vice beat Misa with a right from the edge straight into the top corner. With almost no time to recover, Spain conceded again in an action in which Clare Polkinghorne caught a rebound in the area and beat the Spanish goalkeeper with a cross shot (min.16).
On the edge of half-time, the Australians, who had previously seen a header by Chelsea star Sam Kerr canceled out by the referee, seemed to leave the game in sight when another Caitlin Foord header from the left side made it 3- 0 (min.42).
Previously, a one-on-one by Esther González that disrupted the ‘Aussie’ goalkeeper and another shot by the Real Madrid player that went to the side of the net could have cut the gap.
The coach from Madrid tweaked his scheme at the restart and Spain began to reach Arnold’s area with more danger. After two chances by Jenni Hermoso, Alba Redondo had the clearest of the game in a play in which she stood alone against the Australian goalkeeper, who stuck out a foot to avoid the goal from the Levante striker.
In minute 73, Olga Carmona picked up a loose ball in the area to, with a left-footed shot, score the first for hers, who were able to make the second shot from Salma Paralluelo as soon as they stepped onto the pitch. It was Alba Redondo who, already in discount, made up the score after a cross from Marta Cardona (min.94).
Spain will have the opportunity to make up for it next Wednesday, February 22, in the third and last match against the Czech Republic, the only team that will not be in the World Cup this summer in Australia and New Zealand.