WOLVERHAMPTON, United Kingdom –
A goal by star midfielder Alexia Putellas lifted Spain to a 1-0 win over Canada on Wednesday in the finale for both teams at the Arnold Clark Cup.
Ninth-ranked Spain came as advertised, classy and confident, aggressive on defence and comfortable on the ball in attack.
Putellas, winner of the Ballon d’Or, Best FIFA Women’s Player and UEFA Player of the Year, pulled the strings for Spain as it extended its unbeaten streak to 19 games (17-0-2) since a 1-0 loss to the U.S. at the SheBelieves Cup in March 2020.
The 28-year-old Barcelona star almost scored a second in the 63rd minute, but her header off a corner hit the woodwork.
A win and sixth-ranked Canada (1-1-1) would have won the tournament after tying No. 8 England 1-1 and defeating No. 3 Germany 1-0 in earlier play. Spain (1-0-2) tied Germany 1-1 and England 0-0.
England (0-0-2) played Germany (0-1-1) in the later game needing a win to have a chance of catching Spain for the tournament title.
While Spain had more possession early on, Olympic champion Canada seemed up to the task and created several chances of its own at a largely empty Molineux Stadium.
But Spain went ahead in the 21st minute after Patri Guijarro stole the ball off Canadian fullback Ashley Lawrence in midfield. Five passes later it was in the back of the net with a low shot from an unmarked Putellas, who made a stealthy run into the middle of the penalty box and beat Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
The game grew scrappier in the second half as substitutions were made. Canada came on late but was unable to break through, with two Canadian attackers unable to get to a dangerous Lawrence cross that flashed through the Spanish penalty box in the dying seconds.
The defeat was only the fourth for Canada under coach Bev Priestman, whose record is 10-4-6 including two shootout wins at the Tokyo Olympics. The other losses were to the U.S., Brazil and Mexico.
The tournament showing by the Canadian women was still impressive given half its squad is in pre-season mode with their NWSL teams. But eight of Canada’s 11 starters Wednesday were European-based and in-season.
The Spanish women arrived in England on a 16-game winning streak during which they outscored their opposition 96-0. And despite playing to two ties, Spain looked dangerous against Germany and England, posing problems with its smothering press.
The Spanish starting 11 featured six players from Champions League winner Barcelona, including Putellas. The attacking midfielder scored 26 goals and added 19 assists as Barcelona won the Spanish League, Cup and Champions League last season. Barca teammate Jenni Hermoso, who tied for the Spanish league scoring lead with 31 goals, served as captain.
There were also three starters from Real Madrid and two from Atletico Madrid.
Priestman made four changes to the team that beat Germany, giving Marie-Yasmine Alidou her senior debut while also inserting Shelina Zadorsky, Deanne Rose and Jordyn Huitema.
Alidou, a 26-year-old midfielder from Saint-Hubert, Que., plays in Austria for SK Sturm Graz.
Centre back Kadeisha Buchanan, earning her 116th cap, captained Canada in the absence of Christine Sinclair, who stayed at home following the recent death of her mother. Jessie Fleming served as skipper against England while fellow midfielder Desiree Scott wore the captain’s armband against Germany.
Sheridan started in goal for the third straight game at the tournament. Buchanan, Fleming, Lawrence, Scott, Janine Beckie and Jayde Riviere also started all three contests.
Huitema had a chance in the first minute after Beckie redirected a Lawrence cross to her in front of goal, but her shot hit a defender.
At the other end, Spain’s swarming press presented an early challenge.
Beckie was on target with an eight-minute free kick, but the ball went straight at Spain ‘keeper Lola Gallardo.
And Canada came close in the 28th minute when Huitema headed a Beckie free kick off the crossbar. The ball bounced back into play, just missing an onrushing Buchanan. Gallardo appeared to get a finger to the ball, sending it off the woodwork.
Putellas showed her pedigree on numerous occasions, including late in the half when she nutmegged Scott, who was making her 173rd senior appearance, before heading to the Canadian goal.
Winger Athenea Del Castillo also caused Canada problems.
Spain had 64 per cent of the possession in the first half and outshot Canada 9-4, although Canada held a 2-1 edge in shots on target.
Priestman brought on goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo and midfielder Quinn, who goes by one name, to start the second half in place of Sheridan and Alidou. Quinn was booked within two minutes for a lunging tackle.
Marta Cardona had a chance in the 50th minute after Riviere went down, losing the ball. But the Spaniard could not dig the all out from her foot for a shot before Quinn arrived. Riviere had to be helped off in obvious pain after having her wrist stepped on during the play.
Canada was unable to threaten until later in the second half, with the final passing often missing its mark although forward Cloe Lacasse made her presence felt after coming on in the 77th minute. Lacasse earned a booking for a dive on the edge of the Spanish penalty box in the 82nd minute.
Canadian substitute Nichelle Prince headed off-target in an 85th-minute corner.
The Canadian women had only played Spain twice before, drawing 0-0 in May 2019 in Logrones and losing 1-0 in March 2017 in Sao Joao da Venda.
The Canadian women are gearing up for the CONCACAF W Championship in July in Mexico, which will determine World Cup and Olympic qualification. Next up for Canada is a planned friendly in April.
The England tournament’s title sponsor, Arnold Clark, is a family-run car dealer.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 23, 2022
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