Spain’s women’s national team secured a 4-2 victory over Norway in a lively friendly held at the Can Misses stadium in Ibiza. The game marked a historic first appearance of a senior Spain squad on the Balearic Island since 1986 and highlighted a promising early phase of preparations for the World Cup. The match attracted a crowd of over two thousand spectators, with UD Ibiza hosting Second Division fixtures on the same site between matches.
The Spanish selection, who controlled much of the opening play, faced a determined Norwegian side that pressed aggressively from the outset. Alba Redondo unleashed an early volley that teased the goal but did not find the target as Spain pressed with intent. The opener arrived in the 17th minute when Jenni Hermoso converted a fast-moving combination with Sheila García at the edge of the box, sending a precise finish past the keeper.
GOAL: Ends with a goal.
I 4-1 I 76′
@teledeporte #PlayFightAndWin pic.twitter.com/hqzj57x1qB
— Spanish Women’s Football Team (@SEFutbolFem) April 6, 2023
Norway responded quickly, leveling through Ada Hegerberg’s sharp counterattack around the 20th minute. Just after that equalizer, Hermoso struck again to restore Spain’s lead, with Eva Navarro contributing after a defensive mix-up. A subsequent review by the Macedonian referee ruled out a Norwegian goal in the 24th minute for offside that did not stand in the final decision.
Spain dominated the period before the break and carried that momentum into the second half. Salma Paralluelo extended the advantage in the 51st minute by pouncing on a rebound after a cross and Alba Redondo’s intelligent run created space, setting up the third goal. A moment of defensive lapse allowed the fourth when another goalkeeping error gave Paralluelo room in front of goal.
Spain continued to press with intent, with Irene Guerrero and Del Castillo each testing the Norwegian defence, though some attempts were disallowed for offside as the tempo remained high.
In the closing stages, Andreassen struck from a header during one of Norway’s counterattacks, finishing the scoring at 4-2 in the 86th minute.
THE SPANISH VICTORY WAS SEEN AS A STRONG START TO THEIR WORLD CUP JOURNEY, celebrated as the team’s first win on the island and a sign of growing cohesion ahead of the global event.
❤️ Spain earned their first-ever victory against Norway on this island, a moment the team celebrated after a hard-fought contest. The match was streamed and shared across social channels with the slogan Play Fight And Win.
As the event closed, the coach acknowledged that the test against one of the world’s strongest teams offered valuable insights ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. Both Spain and Norway had entered the evening as group leaders in their paths to Australia and New Zealand, with Spain having won all their qualifiers to date and none conceded, while Norway boasted nine wins and one draw in their campaign.
They released the World Cup ball
Spain’s women’s team played their first match using the official World Cup ball that will be used in Australia and New Zealand.
The Ibiza engagement was a milestone, and doing so with the World Cup ball ahead of the tournament promised a new level of relevance for the team’s preparations. Concentration had begun at the Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas earlier in the week, with players testing the equipment for the upcoming fixtures.
That same afternoon, at the Can Misses stadium, the team used the Adidas ball in a practice match against Norway, a session the coach described as potentially indicative for the World Cup play-off paths.
Data sheet
Spain: Mass; Sheila (Jana Fernández, 82′), Irene Paredes, Ivana Andrés, Olga Carmona; Irene Guerrero (Abelleira, 69′), Maite Oroz; Jenni Hermoso (Fiamma Benitez, 82′); Salma Paralluelo (Asun, 69′), Eva Navarro (Del Castillo, 57′) and Alba Redondo (Ester González, 57′)
Norway: Mikalsen; Hansen, Mjelde, Harviken, Lund (Thea Bjelde, 76′); Maanum (Boe Risa, 76′), Engen, Reiten (Andreassen, 77′), Eikeland (Saevik, 91′), Haavi (Blakstad, 76′); Hegerberg (Terland, 46′).
Goals: 1-0 Jenni, min. 17. 1-1 Hegerberg, min. 20. 2-1 Jenni, min. 21. 3-1 Selma, min. 51. 4-1 Selma, min. 54. 4-2 Andreassen, min. 86.
Referee: Ivana Projkovsk (Fed. Macedonia).
Yellow cards: Ivana (72′)
Attendance: 2,336 spectators.