Aitana Bonmati scored as Spain on Wednesday added the UEFA Women’s Nations League trophy to their FIFA World Cup title with a comfortable 2-0 victory over France in the final in Seville, while Germany beat the Netherlands to qualify for the Olympics.
Spain continued their golden run of form as they prepare for a first-ever appearance at the Olympics in Paris later this year.
The world champions secured a title at the first attempt for coach Montse Tome, who replaced controversial boss Jorge Vilda after he was sacked following the World Cup and former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales’s forcible kiss on the lips of forward Jenni Hermoso.
Photo: AFP
“In September things were strange, we faced it, we tried to solve it,” Tome said of the fallout following the Rubiales scandal when she took over. “September is a long time ago and now we’re in a different time. I like to focus on the positive and I feel that this team has given me a lot.”
Hopes are high that France, coached by Herve Renard, can challenge for the Olympic title on home soil, but they were completely outplayed by Spain.
“I faced Spain at the 2018 World Cup with Morocco, against a midfield of [Andres] Iniesta, Isco and [Sergio] Busquets. I had the impression that I saw the same thing this evening,” Renard said.
Spain dominated the early stages, coming close to breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute when centerback Irene Paredes powered a header from a corner just wide.
The hosts did forge ahead just after the half-hour mark as France were cut open down their left-hand side, with Ballon d’Or winner Bonmati arriving unmarked in the center to volley home Olga Carmona’s cross.
Spain almost doubled their advantage in the final seconds of the first half when Laia Aleixandri headed wide, with appeals for a penalty for a possible deflection off France defender Amandine Henry’s arm waved away, but Tome’s side wasted little time in making it two after the break, as Mariona Caldentey swept Ona Batlle’s low ball into the bottom corner in the 53rd minute.
France never threatened a fightback, failing to muster a single shot on target in the match.
“Six months ago we won the World Cup and now the Nations League, what more could you ask for?” Barcelona star Bonmati told Television Espanola. “It’s quite incredible everything we have achieved... This team has no ceiling — World Cup, now Nations League and now for the Olympics.”
Later on Wednesday, Germany saw off the Netherlands 2-0 in the third-place playoff in Heerenveen to join Spain and France in qualifying for the Olympics.
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