MATCH REPORT | A brace from Claudia Pina sends Spain into the final stages (2-1)

The national team came out chomping at the bit, going for the match from the very first minute of the game when the crowd still hadn’t fully returned to their seats after the pre-match show. It was Paralluelo who had the first clear chance, then Esther González the second… and not even five minutes had yet been played.

The frantic pace of the opening minutes eased off, while Spain took the opportunity to seize control and dictate the tempo of the game, setting the pace against Sarina Wiegman’s side. Esther and Salma moved comfortably between the lines and posed a constant threat to the English defence. Then, after a foul on Salma went uncalled, England launched a counter-attack that ended with a goal from Russo in the 21st minute.

Montse Tomé’s side did not let their heads drop and looked to equalise from the very next move with a brilliant run from Alexia Putellas into the box, ending with a handball that Hungarian referee Kulcsár failed to spot. Aitana Bonmatí fired another dangerous ball across to Hampton’s right post, serving as Spain’s immediate response to going behind. Esther joined in with a beautiful strike that flew narrowly wide of the Chelsea keeper’s top corner.

Despite several chances and the wide range of attacking options on display from the national team on the RCDE Stadium pitch, Spain went into the break behind. The second half started as the first had, vibrantly, with a shot from Salma Paralluelo stemming from a cross by Olga Carmona in the 35th second that almost brought the equaliser. As did Alexia’s strike, which shaved the post. With England well-positioned in defence, the Spanish players looked for different options, trying runs in behind, drifting wide, playing between the lines… but the reward of a goal was not immediately forthcoming.

Montse Tomé took advantage of a lull to make a substitution, bringing on Claudia Pina in the 59th minute. And it couldn’t have gone better for either—neither the coach or the striker. No sooner had she come on than she scored a quality equaliser, sending Cornellà into raptures. The national team kept pushing to take the lead with a low shot from Esther. But it was once again Claudia Pina, ten minutes later, who found the net with a wonderful strike from the edge of the area, her performance proving decisive with a famous goal-scoring brace against the English. As a result, Spain have now finished first in the group, five points ahead of today's opponent, and go into the final four in October alongside Germany, France and Sweden.

Spain couldn’t have asked for more from this camp, following up the thrashing of Belgium with a comeback victory against the European champions and World Cup runners-up, heading into what promises to be a magical summer with the Euros just around the corner in Switzerland.