Spain marched into the quarterfinals when they defeated Switzerland 5-1 in the opening match of the World Cup playoffs. Aitana Bonmati became the best player of the match and the most important player of her team.
Spain eased into the quarter-finals after thrashing Switzerland 5-1 in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Saturday.
Sports expert Hanna Ruohomaa says that with the next games in mind, Spain was able to show mental strength. The team lost 0–4 to Japan in the final round of the first group, but was able to put it behind them.
– The Spanish players told the media after that game that they were worried about whether there would be enough time to correct tactical deficiencies. In a short time, the team got the lines in order and Spain was efficient in its finishing, unlike in the Japan match.
Spain changed up to five players from their starting line-up for that match. According to Ruohomaa, the team was able to play with the same game identity, which tells about the extent and quality of the player circle.
– Spain showed that they have world-class substitutes. For example Alexia Putellas was able to put the change in. Switzerland was actually forced to start all matches with the same lineup.
The undisputed figure of the quarter-final was the Spanish midfielder Fence Bonmati. He finished with two goals and two assists.
– After the Japan game, there was a lot of talk about who in the team should bear the responsibility. In a losing situation, no one lifted the team and took a role. Bonmati now took on that role as he created chances and finished off goals. This was an important indication from him that leadership can be found.
In the Switzerland match, Spain opened the scoring already in the fifth minute of the game. Ruohomaa believes that the team’s biggest challenge will be seen at that stage if it cannot open the goal taps.
He points out that Japan, for example, has shown that the team plays well together, and that individuals do not take the limelight. It might be different in Spain.
– The longer Spain stays clean, the more pressure they will have. Then they start playing as individuals and not as a team. If the game doesn’t start as well as in the Switzerland game, the team should be able to work together until the end. It will be a challenge for them in the future.
Spain has not yet recovered from its uproar
The quarterfinal match was already decided in the first half. Spain finished with four almost identical goals in the opening period. Switzerland’s only goal came from an embarrassing pass error by Spain. Spain led the scoring attempts in the first half by 18–0.
The defense of Switzerland’s own penalty area was even chaotic in the opening half. Spain could move the Swiss defenders aside with one deflection or ball transfer.
– Switzerland’s box defense hurt my eyes, Ruohomaa describes.
This match also saw the problem that plagued Switzerland throughout the tournament: the opening game. Expert Liisa-Maija Rautio estimates that this was seen, for example, in Spain’s 5–1 goal.
– The distances were really long and the team pushed along the same lane and couldn’t wait to play against Spain’s high press. The team improved the defensive game for the second period, but did not find ways to attack, Rautio states.
Before the start of the tournament, the Spanish team was in the midst of a commotion when the players rose to become the head coach Jorge Vilda against. Has the team overcome the commotion now? According to expert Ruohomaa, that cannot be said. When the team lost to Japan 0–4 in the first group, the commotion rose to the surface again.
– It was reported in the media that there are cup clubs in the team. The players even said that there is no need to be best friends, because everyone has the same goal: to succeed in the World Cup. It really hurts if team spirit is plastered with the fact that everyone has the same goal, says Ruohomaa.