Page 20 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.14 2021-22

not used: Iryna Sanina, Alla Herasymchuk, Iryna Podolska, Iryna Kochnyeva, Viktoriya
Hiryn, Khrystyna Pereviznyk, Darya Kravets.
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)
Scotland crushed by rampant Spain
Spain 8 Scotland 0
Scotland will be disappointed with this result in Seville but are still very much in the race to
qualify. Pedro Martinez Losa’s side will have to look ahead to build some momentum in their
next match against Ukraine. Spain remain unbeaten in their World Cup qualifying campaign
and put on a dominant performance for their fans.
Spain opened the game well with plenty of opportunities created inside the box and the
favourites looked to be on cruise control but a loose ball in the centre of the box fell Scotland’s
way with Abi Harrison blasting the ball off the woodwork. It was a great chance to open up the
game.
The pressure from Spain was constant as Scotland struggled to push the home side out
of their half as the ball was passed around the edge of the box. It felt like the opener was right
round the corner.
The Spanish breakthrough came in the form of a cross from Leila Ouahabi which was
met by the head of Amaiur Sarriegi giving Spain the first goal of the match.
Lee Alexander was kept busy throughout the first half and made several good saves, but
she wasn’t able to deny the mounting Spanish attack. Mariona found the back of the net with a
spectacular long-range effort to give Spain their second goal. Alexander managed to get a hand
to it but wasn’t able to make enough contact to save Scotland. Scotland conceded one more
before half time as Bonmati found space in the box and slotted the ball into the bottom left
corner.
As the first half reached its conclusion, Scotland had a lot of work to do. Spain weren’t
content with sitting back and settling with three goals. They came out attacking and Lee
Alexander was called in to action numerous times. Alexander was eventually beaten but
Christie Murray made a fantastic clearance to keep the game at 3-0.
Scotland weren’t able to hold up their defensive effort and conceded their fourth goal
as Sarriegi grabbed her second of the game. The fifth goal for Spain followed quickly as
Bonmati made it a brace with a rebound after two good saves from Alexander.
Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas made it 6-0 for Spain and are proving to be too much
for Scotland despite spells of resilience from the away team. Jenni Hermosa gave Spain yet
another goal as she’s given free space in the centre of the box and blasts it into the top left corner.
Ivana Andres received the first booking of the match after a poor challenge awarding
Scotland a free kick. The final goal was provided by Esther Gonzalez who taps the ball in after
a Mariona lobs the ball over the Scottish defence.
After 90 minutes, Spain had proven themselves the better team and Scotland will be
disappointed as a result of the one sided nature of the match.
Spain: Sandra Panos, Ona Batlle, Leila Ouahabi (sub Olga Carmona 66mins), Irene
Paredes, Andrea Pereira, Aitana Bonmati, Amaiur Sarriegi Isasa (sub Esther Gonzalez
74mins), Mariona Caldentey, Alexia Putellas (sub Lucia Garcia 84mins), Jennifer Hermoso,
Patricia Guijarro (sub Ivana Andres 66mins). Subs not used: Dolores Gallardo, Misa, Teresa
Abelleira, Irene Guerrero, Redondo Ferrer, Laia Aleixandri, Anna Torroda, Athenea del
Castillo.
Scotland: Lee Alexander, Rachel McLauchlan (sub Jane Ross 73mins), Nicola Docherty,
Rachel Corsie, Sophie Howard, Lisa Robertson (sub Lucy Graham 45mins), Erin Cuthbert,
Rachael Boyle, Caroline Weir (sub Christie Murray 45mins), Abi Harrison (sub Christy
Grimshaw 45mins), Lisa Evans (sub Lana Clelland 80mins). Subs not used: Jenna Fife,
Eartha Cumings, Tegan Bowie, Chloe Arthur, Amy Muir, Jenna Clark, Lizzie Arnot.
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)
Issue no. 14 - 2 December 2021 womenssoccerscene@mail.com