Spain 2-1 England: Pina double sends La Roja into UWNL final four | OneFootball

A stunning brace from substitute Clàudia Pina saw Spain rescue a 2-1 victory over England at the RCDE Stadium on Tuesday, having fallen behind in the first half of their final UEFA Women’s Nations League group stage match.

Spain had dominated the opening minutes in Cornellà with Hannah Hampton called upon several times to keep parity intact, though Sarina Wiegman’s side were able to find the breakthrough in controversial circumstances with less than half an hour played.

But the second-half introduction of Clàudia Pina paid dividends almost immediately for Montse Tomé’s hosts, with the Barcelona forward picking out the bottom corner to salvage not only a draw, but la Roja‘s ticket to the UWNL finals too. And while Spain did not need to win, Pina doubled her tally 10 minutes later to remove any doubt about the result.

As it happened

It was apparent from the first 30 seconds in Cornellà that England would be put under immense pressure by a Spanish side looking to retain top spot in Group A3 of the UEFA Women’s Nations League, with Montse Tomé’s side able to qualify for the final four of the tournament with just a point against the Lionesses.

But no matter how hard they tried, the goals just would not come. Esther González was denied inside the opening five minutes by Hannah Hampton, not long before she dinked well wide of the far post after capitalising on a loose pass from Leah Williamson.

Hampton has been somewhat thrust into the limelight during this camp following Mary Earps’ shock decision to retire from international football with immediate effect, but the Chelsea shotstopper proved her worth throughout the first half as she smothered another half-chance from González before watching as Salma Paralluelo curled a dangerous effort over the bar.

With just over 20 minutes played at the RCDE Stadium, the home supporters’ groans of frustration morphed into shrieks of disbelief. With Paralluelo lying on the turf after an alleged foul by Niamh Charles, Keira Walsh seized the opportunity to thread a ball through the lines for Alessia Russo, who expertly despatched into the far corner – and with no VAR in operation, England’s lead stood.

La Roja‘s discontent with Tuesday’s Hungarian referee, Katalin Kulcsár, grew in intensity mere seconds later when Alexia Putellas’ cross in from the left flank appeared to be met by Charles’ hand but there would be no lifeline for the hosts, with the referee once again unable to take a second look.

Spain’s lack of ruthlessness in front of goal had cost them in the first half, as they headed into half-time trailing despite having recorded eight shots to England’s two. Their fortunes soon changed, however, when Barcelona’s Clàudia Pina restored parity on the hour mark with a well-placed finish through a crowded penalty area – just three minutes after replacing Paralluelo.

And she wasn’t done there. The UEFA Women’s Champions League top goalscorer might have had a disappointing performance in Barça’s loss to Arsenal last weekend, but the 23-year-old certainly had her shooting boots on in Cornellà when she fired la Roja into the lead in the 70th minute with a shot rifled into the top corner.

They were made to work for it, but it was certainly a deserved victory for Spain who had been left aggrieved by refereeing decisions in the first half. The result confirms that they have finished as Group A3 winners, qualifying for the final four of the UEFA Women’s Nations League as a result.

The lineups

ENG: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Charles; Stanway, Walsh, Park; Mead, Russo, Hemp