Ulrike Pedersen / SPP
The primary day of the 2023 FIFA Ladies’s World Cup knockout rounds began with Spain going through off towards Switzerland in a really one-sided competitors. Day one will end with Japan taking up Norway.
Couldn’t watch and have to know what the massive story is? That is what occurred on the primary day of the World Cup Spherical of 16.
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Spain 5, Switzerland 1
The Huge Story: Spain had a decisive win towards a Switzerland facet whose recreation plan didn’t put together for Spain to play Spanish possession-based soccer, and couldn’t alter both.
The Huge Second: The gamewinning purpose from Spain was one other early one as Alba Redondo centrally positioned a glancing header within the netting close to the far put up previous an outstretched Gaëlle Thalmann.
What it means: The Swiss protection seemed shaky from the beginning, with the Spanish assault trying harmful and penetrating the field with ease <insert compulsory and overused Swiss cheese joke>. Spain bought on the board early when within the fifth minute, a purpose line clearance didn’t make it out of the field and Aitiana Bonmati made Switzerland pay with a left-footed shot into the decrease proper 90 as she fell backwards. In a powerful offensive exhibiting, Spain ended the half with 19 photographs, 6 on track, and 4 targets.
Though the offensive facet of issues wasn’t a problem for the Spanish, there was a reasonably large defensive miscue that they’ll need to clear up in future rounds, the communication between the backline and goalkeeper. Spain began goalkeeper Cata Coll on this match for her worldwide debut and there was an enormous misplay within the eleventh minute that allowed Switzerland to–quickly–come even.
The second half began with three sub adjustments for Switzerland as they hoped to get again within the match however they have been solely capable of hold Spain from including targets till midway by means of the half. All-in-all, the Swiss can’t assist however go away this recreation disenchanted that their exit from the World Cup was in a 5-1 rout the place they solely had two photographs and barely spent any time within the Spanish half.
Spain will play of their first ever Ladies’s World Cup Quarterfinal on August 10 at 9pm ET towards the winner of Netherlands versus South Africa.
