Alexia Putellas was the magic and Spain’s goal to reach quarterfinals | Relief

It should have been her. Alexia Putellas leads Spain to quarterfinals. And without using a calculator. The national team qualified easily after a game in which they struggled to put the ball in the net. Because if Japan was a warning that we have too many doubts at the top, the game against Nigeria was another serious alarm bell. Alexia, who scored a great goal from a free kick and after a great game, let her guard down after a poor first half. The Spaniards dominated and did justice to a match in which much was forgiven and little was regretted – thanks to Alexia’s knowledge.

Monse Tome had a new plan: Olga Carmona, Patry Guijarro and Athena del Castillo, who had started against Japan, were benched. The team’s fluidity improved: Teresa Abelleira became a real force in the middle of the field, but something was still missing up top. The Galician knew how to be a safety net in defence and Nigeria showed themselves to be very involved in their match. With great pressure, in every pass they outclassed Spain, who at the beginning almost everything worked.. Minus for efficiency. That last pass that missed the target and left everything that needed to be done in the second half.

Nnadozie managed to save the ball on the break after a superb strike from Alexia. The Nigerian goalkeeper was well protected by a defence that intercepted everything that came near the goal. Lucia Garcia had to settle accounts with Ohale and company, and Salma Paralluelo ultimately did not feel comfortable as Mariona Caldentey, Alexia and Aitana lead the attack.. Spain needed more, especially after Japan’s win over Brazil. The script was forcing them to win to avoid having to rely on the last group stage duel to close the quarter-finals.

Tome made a move after the break: Afina and Olga replaced Lucia Garcia and Oikhane. More verticality on the wings, She returns to the right side. There was no shortage of opportunities. Until the disappointment of a few millimetres with the score 1:0 in the 54th minute, which did not appear on the scoreboard. Salma fired home from a cross from the left by Teresa Abelleira, but Alexia’s slight deflection off the near post meant the play was ruled out.. Spain had to continue, but they were faced with errors in the last pass again and again and with an opponent who had a line of nine players defending in their zone. The Barça striker had several chances and was stranded by bad throws. And it was Alexia, who scored a superb free-kick in the last minutes, who tipped the scales in favor of the national team.

Spain will play their next match next Wednesday, July 31, at 5pm in Bordeaux, changing venue for the first time since the game. their first two meetings – Japan and Nigeria – in Nantes. New broadcasts. Same goal. Continue to go with good feelings towards the gold medal, even though they don’t want to mention it. Because yes, the team is already guaranteed to reach the quarterfinals.