Striker Alexia Putellas scored twice for world champions Spain as they shook off a slow start to beat Belgium 6-2 in their Women’s Euros Group B clash on Monday, a result that will guarantee the Spaniards’ progress to the knockout stage if Portugal fail to beat Italy later in the day.
On a chilly, windswept evening far removed from the recent Swiss heatwave, Putellas blasted Spain into the lead, picking up the ball after some deft one-touch passing and lashing it into the net in the 22nd minute with a characteristically powerful left-foot shot.
The lead lasted only a couple of minutes as the Belgians went up the field and won a corner, which Justine Vanhaevermaet headed home at the near post but, despite struggling to maintain a consistent rhythm, Spain managed to take a lead into the break after Irene Paredes scored with a towering header from a corner in the 39th minute.
Recently returned from a health scare, Aitana Bonmati came on for Vicky Lopez at halftime and almost scored four minutes later but instead Belgium levelled again in the 50th minute, with Hannah Eurlings running on to a long ball and slotting home.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside but after a lengthy VAR review Eurlings was found to have been onside when the ball was played. Belgium’s joy was short-lived as Esther Gonzalez restored Spain’s lead a minute later, with Spain finally beginning to show their class.
Mariona Caldentey’s fourth goal for Spain in the 61st minute put them at ease and they began to toy with the Belgians, with a brilliant curled effort from Claudia Pina in the 81st minute effectively ending the contest.
There was still time for Putellas to net her second goal four minutes from time to put Spain top of the group on six points and leave the Belgians, who lost their opening game against Italy 1-0, on the brink of elimination.
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Despite the sluggish start and the concession of two goals, Spain coach Montserrat Tome was pleased with how her players managed to solve the problems posed by the Belgians, especially the substitutes who were brought on in the second half.
Tome said playmaker Bonmati had fully recovered and could have started but that the team were going to take it slowly with her.
Portugal’s Seica hails fans after battling draw with Italy
Portugal centre back Ana Seica credited the support of the team’s fans for inspiring them to a 1-1 draw with Italy on Monday that kept alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the Women’s Euros.
After suffering a 5-0 loss to world champions Spain in their Group B opener in Bern on Thursday, Portugal would have been forgiven for being low on confidence heading into the clash with Italy.
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Not so their fans, and the drums of the Navegadoras pounded across the Stade de Geneve long before kickoff while chants and cheers urging the players to resist the Italians continued until the final whistle.
The Portuguese players responded to the cacophony of support with a performance of true grit as they held back wave after wave of Italian attacks.
Goalkeeper Patricia Morais roared in relief to the crowd after making a save just before halftime but she was unable to stop Cristiana Girelli’s beautiful, curling finish in the 70th minute that looked to have sent Italy into the quarter-finals.
Diana Silva’s header hit the back of the net in the 80th minute only to be disallowed for offside but, with only a minute left on the clock, the Portuguese fans exploded in delight as Diana Gomes equalised.
The drums are sure to pounding again in Sion on Friday when Portugal face an already eliminated Belgium, looking for the victory they need to have a chance of staying in the tournament.