Spain faced a surprising setback, losing to Italy by 3-2 after a chaotic second half. The decisive moment came when the Italian team found the net while Spain was briefly reduced to ten players. Yet the match had already secured its place in the semifinals scenario, keeping Spain within touch of Paris 2024 as the clock ticked down. The outcome was influenced by Switzerland’s earlier victory over Sweden, which kept the door ajar for Spain to advance to the Paris Olympic Games through the League of Nations pathway.
This marked a first defeat for the world champions with their star on the squad. With momentum on their side in the opening minutes, Spain could not sustain control, despite Athenea del Castillo opening the scoring in the first half. The Spaniards initially held the upper hand, but the second half brought a rapid shift as Italy equalized soon after the restart.
Italy drew level in the 46th minute, a moment captured by live broadcasts of the match in national outlets. The tactical chaos that followed included a period when Spain played with nine players, and two substitutions were made, though only one remained effective on the field in time. By the time the whistle sounded, Esther González had not yet stepped onto the pitch, and her preparation attire underscored the confusion that surrounded the late changeovers.
The Spanish coach, Montse Tomé, reflected on the defeat, noting the setback of conceding early in the second half and acknowledging that the team must avoid such departures from form. The sense among the coaching staff and players was one of disappointment, paired with resolve to learn from the misstep and aim for perfection in future fixtures.
When asked why the second half started with ten players, Tomé explained that an information gap about a late unavailability had left the squad with one player fewer. The delay affected the planned defensive and offensive arrangements, and the on-field reaction did not arrive as quickly as needed.
We started the second half poorly
The first half had offered calm, but the latter period devolved into disorder, revealing vulnerabilities in Spain’s defense. In less than twenty minutes, three goals were conceded, each a reminder of defensive lapses in the world champions. The sequence of goals exposed the gaps in the defensive shape and the urgency Italy showed in the final third.
Italy took the lead with a later goal as Spain pressed for a quick response. A crossbar shot and a missed chance in the finishing area kept Spain from mounting an immediate reply, and Esther González’s control and finishing touch later offered a glimmer of hope for a comeback, bringing the scoreline to a more precarious but still alive 2-3 before the final whistle.
The match grew increasingly dramatic, with a dramatic save from Cata Coll and a collective moment of rallying from the home crowd in the stadium. A chant of encouragement echoed through the stands as Spain pressed to equalize, recognizing the challenge of overturning the deficit in the remaining minutes. The tactical setup and on-field intensity underscored the stakes of the encounter and the learning opportunity it presented for the defending champions.
Spain tried to convert late pressure into a dramatic resurgence, but the clock ran down and the decisive third goal for Italy sealed the result. The coaching staff expressed that the team could not let a repeat of such lapses happen in matches essential for Olympic qualification and that adjustments would be needed in the buildup to further tests in the competition.
Ultimately, the result left Spain with a narrow defeat that dampened immediate momentum but did not erase the broader path to Paris. The competition remains a proving ground, with the Olympic prize still within reach for the teams that reach the latter stages. Italy’s efficiency and pragmatic finishing were on display, marking a clear lesson in how quick, precise chances can decide tightly contested fixtures.
Lineups: Spain lined up with Cata Coll in goal, with Olga, Laia Alexandri, Irene Paredes, Ona Batlle across the back; Jennifer Hermoso, Teresa, Aitana in midfield; Mariona, Paralluelo, and Athenea del Castillo in attack. Substitutions included Lucía García and Esther González later entering the fray. Italy presented Giuliani in goal, with a defensive line of Di Guiglielmo, Lenzini, Linari, Boattin; a midfield trio of Bergamaschi, Caruso, Giuliano, Cambiaghi; and attacking threats Dragoni and Giancinti, with changes later in the match affecting the dynamic. The scoring sequence moved from Athenea del Castillo to Giancinti, then Cambiaghi, Linari, and finally Esther González securing a late goal for Spain in a deeply contested finish. Referee Eleni Antoniou oversaw the proceedings, with a modest crowd in attendance and a record of yellow cards issued to Ivana Andrés and Lucía García in a match that will be remembered for its second-half chaos and late twists.