… add to last year’s World Cup crown
Goals from Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey saw Spain ease to the Women’s Nations League title on Wednesday as they beat France 2-0 in the final.
France were never really in game, as they failed to register a single shot on target in 90 minutes.
A big block from Griedge Mbock Bathy denied Salma Paralluelo early on and then Irene Paredes headed a corner against the post, before Bonmati broke the deadlock just past the half hour mark when she finished Olga Carmona’s brilliant cross from close range, GOAL reports.
Laia Aleixandri was so close to doubling that lead with the final action of the half, with Amandine Henry blocking her header at point blank range, but it didn’t take long for Spain to make it 2-0 after the break. A slick pass from Athenea del Castillo picked out Mariona in the box and her arrowed finish left France goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin with no chance.
Les Bleues head coach Herve Renard made changes in response to the goal but it was too late. The damage was already done as Spain comfortably saw out the game to claim the inaugural Women’s Nations League title, backing up their World Cup triumph.
This was a real chance for France to add some meaningful silverware to a rather sparse collection. Les Bleues’ only trophies to date have come in friendly tournaments, succumbing to a third-successive quarter-final exit in last year’s World Cup.
However, it was Spain, the world champions, who instead reasserted their status as the best in the game by picking up this Nations League title.
Bonmati was outstanding in Seville but it was Mariona who really stole the show as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match, and not just because of a wonderfully taken goal that put the result beyond doubt. The Barcelona star was a constant thorn in France’s side in her free-roaming role on the left wing, with no player on the pitch having more touches. But she worked hard on the other side of the ball, too, winning all four of her aerial duels, making three interceptions and winning possession back seven times in another classy, title-winning display.
Both teams were unchanged from their Nations League semi-final wins last Friday.
Both teams will now switch their focus to qualifying for the 2025 European Championship and are set to find out their opponents for that campaign in Tuesday’s draw. The first fixtures will take place in April.
