Spain Defeats Italy, Sweeps Group B

In one of the two simultaneous group stage matches in Group B, the chance for one of these two teams to finish in first or second for a better opponent in the Quarterfinals is on the line, as they will advance into the knockout stage of the tournament. But Spain wanted to have an unblemished record as they ended their group stage run by defeating Italy by a final score of three goals to one.

The Lady Azzurri got on the board first in the 10th minute, as they controlled the ball along the far side of the pitch on Spain’s side. Lovely passing until Sofia Cantore received the ball, with her back towards the net. She passed it back to Martina Piemonte, who took the shot, but it was blocked. Out of nowhere came Elisabetta Oliveiro, as she picked up the loose ball and scored her first International goal of her career.

But four minutes later, Spain quickly equalized to get on the scoreboard. In the 14th minute, Spain attacked up the pitch. Athenea received the pass, then created a bit of a give-and-go with Alexia Putellas. Athenea was sprung toward the middle of the area, and she took a shot and beat the keeper. It was a well-planned goal, and Spain wanted to win the group so badly.

In the second half, Spain scored early and late to end the night on a positive note. In the 49th minute, Jana Fernandez moved the ball down the pitch on the near side and laid it off to Athenea. She turned toward the middle of the area, lost the ball to Martina Lenzini. But seeing the loose ball was Patri Guijarro, and she smacked it inside the near post for Spain to take the lead.

In second half stoppage time, it was all over but the shouting. Spain got the full three points when the ball was along the near side, as Putellas received it. She turned around and saw NJ/NY Gotham FC’s striker Esther Gonzalez making a run. Putellas delivered a fantastic cross as Esther took the shot, the keeper made the save, but didn’t control the rebound as the ball rolled harmfully and completely over the goal line. Esther made sure it counted as she smashed it hard into the back of the net.

This match had some fantastic goals, but the most important thing was seeing these top two sides of women’s football battling it out and not taking it easy on each other. Both teams battled hard, and now they will get ready for the Quarterfinals, as they have learned that Italy will face Norway on Wednesday, July 16th, and Spain will take on the host nation, Switzerland, on Friday, July 18th. Two more match days to go.