Spain is now returning home, putting an end to a long trip to Australian territory that coach Jorge Vilda justified as necessary to acclimatize to the jet-lag they will experience in five months, when the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand begins.
In sports, there were still many doubts in the environment. The defeat against Australia warns of the problems that could be found this summer at the World Cup, and Vilda, who doesn't seem to have found an eleven that convinces her, continues to try different systems and players. The one who does seem to live her first World Cup will be the forward of Real Madrid Esther González. With three goals in the Cup of Nations, the madridista has taken the position of starting number 9 for Spain.
This morning, in the last game of the friendly tournament, Spain faced a Czech Republic with numerous casualties. Without a dozen of their regular starters, they locked themselves in against Jorge Vilda's team, who dominated, but did not know how to thrash.
Esther González scored a double to propel the Spanish women's team to a 3-0 victory. The Andalusian striker led Jorge Vilda's team to victory in the first period and was sealed, ten minutes from the end, by Athenea del Castillo, also a Real Madrid player, who had replaced the young Barça player Salma Paralluelo before game time.
Vilda made Elene Lete debut under the sticks, Jenni Hermoso continued in the starting eleven and the speedy Salma Paralluelo returned to it. It didn't take Spain long to get close to Olivie Lukasova, but they had to wait half an hour before they began to reflect their superiority on the scoreboard.
Esther, who debuted her official account with the national team against the Czech team three years ago, was La Roja's stiletto, first by finishing off a cross from Sheila García and then scored with a header after a delivery from Marta Cardona.
At halftime Alba Redondo and Berta Pujadas came on for Esther herself and Laia Codina. The Czech Republic wanted to wake up and even scored a goal through captain Petra Bertholdova, but it was disallowed for offside. Spain knew how to manage the victory against a rival who wanted to go further, but without many resources. The shot at the match and the tournament was put by Athenea when she materialized a penalty.
Completed the last game, Australia has taken the trophy after beating Jamaica in the last game, so Spain will have to settle for second place in the Cup of Nations.
The Spanish internationals return to Spain this Wednesday to join their clubs and resume domestic competition. The next international break will be in April, when Vilda's men face China and Norway in the last window before the World Cup. A date that may be key to find out if any more footballer –besides Jenni Hermoso- returns with the national team.
