The Spanish team, led by an immeasurable Aitana Bonmatí –two goals and one assist- finally broke down a wall that seemed insurmountable, that of the round of 16. For the first time in its history, Spain surpasses a tie in a major tournament and will play the quarterfinals of a World Cup after signing a brilliant performance against Switzerland (1-5).
‘La Roja’ will meet her rival in the next round in a few hours, when the duel between the Netherlands and South Africa is resolved starting at 4 in the morning. Also at ungodly hours for Spanish fans will be Spain’s quarterfinal match, which will be played next Friday the 11th, at 3 in the morning in Wellington.
The Spanish fans who got up early this Saturday to see the Spanish team found a completely revolutionary eleven. Jorge Vilda introduced five changes, who put Alexia Putellas on the bench and brought on two rookies, Laia Codina at the back, and the most surprising, Cata Coll in goal.
With no time to prepare a coffee, Aitana Bonmatí scored the first five minutes into the game. A lateral center by Salma Paralluelo from the left that was rejected between the goalkeeper and the post so that the ball ended up at the feet of the Barça midfielder, who shot with all the intention to put ‘la roja’ ahead. Spain completely annulled Switzerland in an electric start. In just ten minutes they had already finished off four times, two of them between the three sticks.
If anyone had still not got rid of the rheum, Laia Codina’s own goal just woke up the laziest. A rude mistake by the Catalan central defender, who sent the ball back, without looking, catching Cata Coll off guard, who was far ahead and assisted as a spectator to the equalizer. The goal put Spain’s ability to react to the test, which proved to have no doubts. Six minutes later, Alba Redondo put the team ahead again. Once again, through a center that came from the wings, knowing how to make good use of the spaces left by a Switzerland that covered very well on the inside, but did not know how to contain the overflow from the wings. Ona Batlle put in an exquisite cross that Aitana Bonmatí combed for an Alba Redondo that entered from behind to the back of the net.
Switzerland was completely nullified. His first dangerous approach –beyond Codina’s own goal- did not come until minute 24, with a shot that went too far from the cross that went directly wide. Spain knew how to counter Switzerland’s defensive efforts both through lateral crosses and shots from outside like the one Tere Abelleira tried, trying to emulate the great goal he scored against Zambia.
Spain would still have time to continue expanding distances. After half an hour of play, Aitana was once again the protagonist with a house trademark play. He picked up the ball inside the area, cut with masterful quality and put it in with his left foot, impossible for Thalmann. Third goal in the World Cup for the Barça midfielder, who continues to make merits to be crowned the best footballer in the world.
And before leaving for the locker room, Laia Codina made up for her blunder at 1-1. The one from Campllong took advantage of a noise in the area at the exit of a corner to fish for the ball and put the toe of the boot in enough for the ball to slip into the back of the net.
With the game sentenced, the second half did not have much history. He served to see the first –and only- shot at the goal of the Swiss. A point-blank shot from Meriame Terchoun that was saved by an attentive Cata Coll. He also took advantage of Jorge Vilda to debut the only footballer he had not used until now, the young María Pérez. The Barça subsidiary player played half an hour in her debut with Spain in the World Cup. Before, Jenni Hermoso joined the scoring party with the fifth of the Spanish team. Her individual move from Carabanchel’s, which placed her tight to the post, impossible for a powerless Thalmann. Spain managed to score five goals against a Switzerland that had not conceded a goal in the entire tournament. The ‘red’ did not manage to keep a clean sheet because of Codina’s own goal, but he recovers his good feelings after the harsh corrective received against Japan and awaits his rival in the quarterfinals, possibly the Netherlands, one of the teams in the best condition tournament form.