World champions Spain on Tuesday ruthlessly dispatched Switzerland 7-1 in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, while England’s hopes of progression were dented by Belgium.
Alexia Putellas grabbed a goal either side of halftime and an assist as the Spaniards put Switzerland to the sword in Zurich.
The match was the team’s first since FIFA on Monday announced that former Royal Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales had incurred a three-year ban for kissing Jenni Hermoso.
Photo: AFP
If the news had any effect on the players, it was soon forgotten as Oihane Hernandez gave them the lead after four minutes, which Putellas then added to seven minutes later.
The world champions piled the misery on the hosts after the break, adding five goals, Alayah Pilgrim grabbing a consolation strike for the Swiss.
COMPUTER GLITCH
Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati was present for the occasion despite picking up the Ballon d’Or on Monday in Paris, but defender Irene Paredes was kept from making her 100th appearance with the women’s national team because of a computer glitch.
Spain coach Montse Tome said after the match that a computer error had kept Paredes from being added to Spain’s official match squad.
“There was some kind of computer problem, I was told about it at the hotel,” Tome said. “I had to adapt to the situation and I went with the starting 11 that you saw.”
Spanish media said the Spanish soccer federation was not able to properly update the squad in UEFA’s official application. Instead, the squad from the previous match — in which Paredes was not included, because she was not fit — was in the system.
Spain sit five points clear of Sweden, who drew 1-1 with Italy, at the top of Group A4 with a maximum 12 points from four matches.
OTHER GAMES
Meanwhile, World Cup runners-up England slipped to a 3-2 defeat against Belgium in Leuven that puts their Nations League hopes in the balance. It was the first time that England have conceded three goals since Sarina Wiegman took over as coach in 2021.
Netherlands won 1-0 in Scotland, while France stumbled to a 0-0 home draw against Norway, but with 10 points they remain top of Group A2, three clear of second-placed Austria who beat Portugal 2-1.
Additional reporting by AP
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