The Spanish team won forcefully, by 5 goals to 0, against Zambia in the second game of the group stage. A victory that ensures the pass to eighths. Here are the three keys to the victory of 'the red' at Eden Park in Auckland.
After a placid debut against Costa Rica in which neither Alexia Putellas nor Mariona Caldentey were starters, the match against Zambia helped them both start from the start. And their staging demonstrated the obvious: that they are non-negotiable players if Spain wants to compete for the title. With the two playing very close to each other, they sought out and partnered with a lot of quality. In addition, they had the help of a Jennifer Hermoso who yesterday, starting from the position of false nine, joined them at the left peak of the attack. And when quality comes together, the offensive game multiplies. A combination between the three gave rise to the first two goals of the game, as well as many other occasions. In addition, the Pachuca striker was crowned with a double.
Other interesting details was the way in which the team stopped the main virtues of Zambia, the direct game and the cons. For the first, each footballer was very attentive to jump quickly under pressure and condition the long game. And for the second, highlight the level of activation and predisposition of the five field players in the lowest position. That is, the four defenses and the pivot. Very high surveillance level and very important for later matches.
The great influence on the game of Alexia Putellas and Mariona Caldentey, mentioned in the first point, indirectly reverted to another decisive player, Aitana Bonmatí. And it is that the offensive game turned so much to the left that the Barca midfielder came into play much less than in other games. And with her, Ona Batlle also had a lower incidence. Against the 'coconuts' it will be better if Spain manages to be more balanced on the attacking sides and puts into circulation all the most powerful pieces it has.
