Washington, Oct 11: For the first time in a while, the United States is not looking ahead to a Women’s World Cup as defending champion.
This month, the Americans are getting a close-up look at who currently holds the crown.
Patri Guijarro and Eva Navarro scored in the first 14 minutes, and Adriana Nanclares stopped a second-half penalty kick to lift Spain to a 2-0 victory over the U.S. on Saturday in a clash between the world’s two top-ranked teams. It was the first of two meetings between reigning World Cup champion Spain and the reigning Olympic champion U.S.
“They’re world champions for a reason,” U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “You’re not going to just roll them over. But you can’t give them a head start either.” The two teams have also combined to win the last three World Cups. They’ll play again Tuesday night near Philadelphia.
There were enough key players on the field Saturday to make this a decent preview of next year’s World Cup, but some big names were absent, including three-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati for top-ranked Spain and defenders Naomi Girma and Emily Sonnett for the United States.
Spain won this match not by passing circles around the U.S. or even by keeping the ball. Instead, it was a couple clinical strikes and strong goalkeeping that made the difference – and even a little physicality.
“Being physical in this kind of game is not negotiable,” Spain coach Sonia Bermudez said through a translator.
Guijarro scored in the third minute with a brilliant strike from well outside the penalty area, beating goalkeeper Claudia Dickey. The second goal was a more obvious defensive breakdown. Salma Paralluelo’s cross from the left wing found Navarro unmarked to volley home for a 2-0 lead.
“Playing a team like Spain, the best in the world, is such a huge test for us,” U.S. defender Emily Fox said. (PTI)