In the midst of the storm, a huge victory in the last breath. After the conflicts, a display of quality, character, daring and football, the victory certified with a final penalty converted by Mariona Caldentey. The Spanish team demonstrated on the pitch with the same impetus and conviction as in the World Cup and with the same determination as in their demands in recent weeks. The great game in Göteborg against a power like Sweden and making plenty of chances to score attests that the world champions are capable of overcoming everything to show their face and that their cry for changes must continue to be heard.
Only a month and two days after they won the star of world champions with blood and fire. Only a month and two days later but what a month and two days. With the emotion of being leading a historic revolution. But also with the wear and tear produced by a tremendous fight for their rights, their values and their dignity and accumulating hours of sleep after a concentration against the current, between marathon meetings in Oliva (València). In this situation, the Spanish team landed at the Ullevi stadium in Göterborg, which received the red players with recognition and applause. Banners with the slogan it's over were even seen in the stands. The controversy of the Rubiales case and the complaints of the soccer players have gone around the world but the time has come for the ball to speak.
In her debut as a coach, the controversial Montse Tomé determined a starting eleven with nine world champions, all except Lucía García and Laia Aleixandri. There was Irene Paredes recovering the captain's armband that she did not have in the World Cup. There was the leader Alexia Putellas. Or the no less important Aitana Bonmatí. The controversies and structural changes demanded gave way to football.
Ahead is a power like Sweden, number 1 in the FIFA ranking, and the beginning of the path to try to be in the Paris Games. Only the finalists of the Nations League will be in the Olympic event.
Sweden showed solidarity in its protest gestures with Spain but when it came time to play it also had the thorn in its side after having lost to the Spanish team in the World Cup semi-final.
Each one applied itself in its own style from the start. To touch Spain. Galloping Sweden. Without generating excessive danger, the soccer players led by a Tomé who always remained standing stood on the Swedish field. Athenea del Castillo and Aitana Bonmatí, after a good maneuver by Caldentey, tried the shot but it was Sweden that advanced in a somewhat predictable manner. Following a corner, Eriksson took advantage of a block to score with a header. Among a tangle of bodies Cata Coll did not see the ball coming and could not do anything.
It was time to rebuild and show personality. Spain did it, they continued trying to find Lucía García and Del Castillo and it was the latter who equalized less than a quarter of an hour later. She shot from the front and the Swedish goalkeeper was unable to repel the shot. Her hands bent. General joy among the Spanish and a level match. Cata Coll, before the break, appeared with an excellent intervention after a shot by Angedahl.
Spain returned with new vigor and surrounded the Swedish goal with a battalion of shots. Lucía García and Alexia Putellas tried it but the best chances were from Aitana Bonmatí and Athenea del Castillo. His shots were repelled, now, by a successful Musovic.
The second Spanish goal was missed because Sweden barely threatened. And it came in the best way. Eva Navarro, who had been on the pitch for a short time, cut in with her right and impaled the corner with her left. A sensational goal that put Spain ahead. The victory was close but Hurtig caught a loose ball in the area to tie the game again. Not even that blow tamed Spain, which continued to hit until Amaiur Sarriegi, who did not go to the World Cup after being part of the 15, was the target of a clear penalty. Caldentey was right and the players regained their smile and joy. They deserved it.
