The women’s national soccer team from Spain advanced to the quarterfinals along with the United States with apparent ease in the Paris Olympics. Despite many teams still waiting to see the end results to determine if he will get through to the next round based on the degree of difficulty and overall points, Spain and the USWNT already have their next round spot secured.
Spain easily cruised past Japan and Nigeria to make it to the quarterfinals of the Olympics. They have some of the best players in the world, and are coming off of a Womens’ World Cup win in Australia and New Zealand, so they are confident in their abilities. Despite some coaching federation issues and management problems, the players are able to regroup, focus, and maintain their winning ways.
Spani Progress to Quarter Finals in Olympics
Spain won their first match against Japan on July 25th 2-1. Their lineup included some of the most well-known names in women’s soccer, including Jenni Hermoso, Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Aitana Bonmati, and Alexia Putellas.
Many of the Spanish national team players also take the field for Barcelona FC in the Spanish domestic league, so they are well-versed in playing alongside one another as teammates throughout the year.
They faced off against Japan, who is consistently ranked among the top in the world. Japan famously beat the USWNT in the World Cup years ago — but the U.S. team had the last laugh when they won the 2015 World Cup with Carli Lloyd’s first-half hat-trick against them in Canada.
Spain had similar good vibes as the U.S. team did almost ten years ago now. Bonmati Conca scored early for Spain in the 22nd minute, and the team brought that lead into halftime. Midway through the second half, Spain began to ramp up the pressure when they were tied 1-1, pushing for the win.
Spain also maintained much of the possession in the game, coming in at just under 70% for the duration of the match. They finally found the breakthrough goal in the 74th minute with Caldentey, who was able to go 1v1 into the box and slot the ball home into the corner of the net.
Spain Women’s Soccer Squad
Get to know the Spanish national team that will play in the quarterfinals this upcoming weekend.
The back line consists of Battle, Aleixandre, Codina, and Carmona. Battle could be the most famous of the four, since she is a consistent player for Barcelona who is always up and down the flanks of the pitch to get crosses into the box and provide assists.
The midfield for Spain has some of the best players in the world, including Bonmati and Putellas. Putellas has made 287 appearances for Barcelona and scored 131 for the club, also winning the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Award and the Ballon d’Or Feminin in 2021.
Similarly, Bonmati is a player for Barcelona who has made 178 appearances already by the age of just 26 years old. She won the Ballon d’Or and the Best FIFA Women’s Player Award for the 2022-2023 season.
If Spain uses the players that they have to the best of their abilities, it will be hard to find another team that can beat them. No matter who they face in the quarterfinals, a betting man would have to say that Spain will come out on top in the Olympics. Let’s see if they can recreate the winning mentality they had last summer at the World Cup and win the gold medal here in Paris. Tune in to the quarterfinals this weekend!
