This time nothing and no one overshadowed another success for the women’s team. The ball, the immaculate football of the Spanish, was finally the epicenter of all eyes at the La Cartuja stadium in Seville, where they were proclaimed champions of the Nations League after beating France in the final. If in the summer they achieved glory in the antipodes, winning the World Cup in Sydney, on this occasion they were prophets in their homeland, in a Sevillian stadium that brought together 32,657 spectators, a record in Spanish territory to see the national team.
The French, who had never lost to the red team, knelt hopelessly, devastated by the combinative game and when it required sharpness from Montse Tomé’s team. The coach made her big debut on the national team bench thanks to a great choral performance by her students that culminated in goals from Aitana Bonmatí, MVP of the match, and Mariona Caldentey.
Spain had a round match, without fissures. He dominated all records against a diminished French team, his physical power reduced to nothing. The Spanish team amassed the ball from the kick-off and executed aggressive, yet effective pressure without the ball. Those of Hervé Renard chased shadows.
The first attempt of the red on the three rival sticks came in the 7th minute, when a good combination on the left ended with a shot in the Paralluelo area deflected in extremis by Henry. Paredes was even closer to opening the scoring, as he headed the post from a corner unmarked.
The Spanish team worked like clockwork, but the play reached another level when the ball passed through Aitana’s boots. The Catalan drove Henry and Geyoro crazy, who pursued her without success. The Ballon d’Or appeared from the right, from the left and after half an hour of play she decided to break through the center, in the heart of the area, to finish a great, tense and precise cross into the net by Olga Carmona from the left. The French defense, without its reference Wendie Renard, out due to injury, did not manage to cover the Barça player.
Despite being behind on the scoreboard, the game continued without news from France, without shots on goal. The script did not change and in the last play before the break Spain was able to put the ball in the middle with a header from Aleixandri in a corner that went wide after lightly touching Henry’s arm.
After the restart, France tried to take a step forward. The inert reaction lasted just seven minutes, the time it took Mariona to score the second goal. This time the play was built on the right. Aitana opened the ball for Athenea, who crossed into the area so that the Mallorcan, completely alone, beat Peyraud-Magnin with a cross shot.
With half an hour left to play and with the final decided in their favor, Spain changed record. He didn’t take risks. He preferred to take a step back to give more strength to the defense, and thus prevent France from believing in the comeback. Although the French prowled the area with a greater sense of danger, the plan worked. Cata Coll continued with completely clean gloves. In the final stretch, transitions became Spain’s best weapon and Eva Navarro almost took advantage of that scenario. The goalkeeper took the third goal from Atlético’s boots.
With five minutes remaining, France gave up, with Spain already moving the ball as if it were a rondo. The final whistle confirmed the second title in the history of the women’s team, a title of which their male counterparts are also current champions. Spain, now without noise or background controversies, showed in Seville that its football continues to break down walls and make history.
Spain: Cata Coll; Ona Battle, Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, Olga Carmona (Oihane, m.68); Aitana Bonmatí, Laia Aleixandri, Jenni Hermoso (Vicky López, m.85); Athenea (Eva Navarro, m.72), Salma Paralluelo, Mariona.
France: Peyraud-Magnin; De Almeida, Lakrar, Mbock, Karchaoui; Henry (Dali, m.58), Geor; Diani (Dufour, m.76), The Summer, Youth (Majri, m.76); Katoto (Cascarino, m.58).
Goals: 1-0, M.32: Aitana Bonmatí. 2-0, M.53: Marion.
Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden). She admonished the Spanish Ona Batlle (m.56) and the French Diani (m.66).
Incidents: Final of the first edition of the Women’s Nations League, played at the La Cartuja stadium, in Seville, before 32,657 spectators.
