Nothing to do with the victory that Spain sealed in Belgium. What happened yesterday in Burgos was more of a triumph suffered in a match of lights and shadows. The team surprised because they did not score in the first half, because they conceded the Czech Republic’s first goal as soon as the second half began and because they had to immediately get their act together to turn around a match that had been difficult for them. And that is news for the world champions. Finally they returned to their infallible 4-3-3 and won thanks to the spirit of María Méndez, the loyalty of Jenni Hermoso and the magic of Mariona who assisted and scored. 3-1 and Spain, with two victories, closes the group leader in this first qualifying phase for Euro 2025.
At first, nothing went as planned. Spain, with an unprecedented defense of three, did not win the aerial duels and Alexia, Jenni Hermoso and Mariona did not look comfortable in the transition of the ball. It was not surprising then that the first chance fell to the Czech side with a high shot that was stopped by Misa Rodríguez, back in the starting eleven. Despite the discomfort, the Spanish team, which was debuting the red kit that it will wear in its first Olympic Games in Paris, did not stay still. She pressed high to try to recover the ball near the rival goal and Eva Navarro deployed her speed on the right wing searching without success for Alexia and Lucía García. Despite her excellent technique, the Barcelona captain still lacks that neatness that characterized her so much. But Lucía García was especially wrong. The Manchester United forward missed three chances. The first was after an assist from Athenea del Castillo, who chipped the ball inside the small area. The second in a one-on-one with Votíková, the Czech goalkeeper. To close the trilogy, he failed to finish a filtered pass from Mariona Caldentey.
Along the way, Jenni Hermoso put in a cross from the right corner that Levante center back María Méndez headed home. The shot went high. And the Czech Republic, which a priori was going to be locked in behind, did not give up and went up to press. In those moments, Dubcová caught a rebound inside the Spanish area. Luckily, the shot grazed the crossbar. The first half ended with a last attempt by Alexia that brushed the post and with Montse Tomé very thoughtful on the bench. The coach who reorganized the team had her reasons, took out Eva Navarro and returned to the defense of four, with Olga Carmona on the left side and Mariona, as a false winger.
Despite Spain’s attempts to find gaps in attack, despite Mariona’s willingness to look for Carmona and Athenea and despite Paredes’ header between the three posts, it was the Czech Sonntagová who took advantage of a pass from the right side and He scored from the edge of the area.
The Czech goal was the turning point. That’s all Spain said. María Méndez showed her genius and scored a great goal with a header after a corner kick to tie the game. Tomé called Vicky López and Paralluelo to fan the hornet’s nest and Spain began its comeback with a masterful pass from Mariona to Hermoso. The Madrid forward did not fail. Mariona Caldentey’s great work earned her the award. It was a delight to see how she received the ball from a angle inside the area, she adjusted it towards the inside and finished the individual play with a low shot at the near post to score the third and final goal. Spain celebrated its victory at El Plantío in Burgos with 10,000 people in its stands. “When we went out to sing the hymns I thought ‘how this has changed’. I hope people continue to help us a lot,” said Mariona. Another success that they were grateful for again.
