Spain Defeats England 1-0 on Final Match Day of 2020 SheBelieves Cup
Late Header Goal from Substitute Alexia Putellas Set the Difference Between No. 5 and No. 7-Ranked Teams in Europe
FRISCO, TEXAS (March 11, 2020) – In a battle between two of the top women’s national teams in Europe, Spain rallied in the second half to down England 1-0 on an 83rd-minute header goal from substitute Alexia Putellas in first match of the final doubleheader in the 2020 SheBelieves Cup.
Putellas, who came on in the 58th minute, powerfully headed home from 10 yards out off a corner kick that was served from the right side by Jennifer Hermoso, herself a substitute, who came into the game in the 68th minute. It was the second goal of the tournament for Putellas, tying her for the tournament lead with teammate Lucía García, who scored twice vs. Japan.
England had a slight edge in creating danger in the attacking third in a first half that featured only three total shots, all from the Lionesses.
Perhaps the most dangerous chance came in the 32nd minute as midfielder Jordan Nobbs got behind the defense on the right side and crossed on the ground from the edge of the penalty area. Under duress from a Spanish defender, forward Ellen White couldn’t get a foot on the ball as she tumbled to the ground, but it bounced to forward Nikita Parris, whose shot was blocked in a goalmouth scramble and Spain was able to clear.
Spain picked up its attacking energy in the second half – firing all nine of its shots after the break -- and in the 60th minute had its best scoring chance to that point as defender Ainhoa Moraza stepped in to win a ball at midfield and took off on a long run, blazing past one England defender before cutting centrally on the last England defender near the top of the penalty area. That gave her space for a one-on-one chance with England goalkeeper Carly Telford, who rushed out of her goal to stuff the shot just in front of the six-yard line to keep the match scoreless.
After Spain scored, England pushed for an equalizer and had several half-chances but could not tie the game and last year’s SheBelieves Cup champion finished 1-2-0 (3 points) for the tournament. Spain finished 2-1-0 (6 points) with a plus-2 goal difference meaning a U.S. loss to Japan in the final game of the tournament could give Spain the title.
- 2020 SHEBELIEVES CUP MATCH REPORT -
Match: England vs. Spain
Date: March 11, 2020
Competition: 2020 SheBelieves Cup
Venue: Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas
Attendance: 10,507
Kickoff: 4:15 p.m. ET
Weather: 87 degrees, Mostly Sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
ENG 0 0 0
ESP 0 1 1
ESP - Alexia Putellas (Jennifer Hermoso) 83rd minute
Lineups:
ENG: 1-CarlyTelford; 2-Rachel Daly, 15-Abbie McManus, 6-Millie Bright (5-Stephanie Houghton, 46), 3-Alex Greenwood; 8-Jill Scott (4-Keira Walsh, 87), 14-Leah Williamson, 7-Nikita Parris, 10-Jordan Nobbs (16-Georgia Stanway, 62), 11-Toni Duggan (19-Alessia Russo, 76); 18-Ellen White (22-Chloe Kelly, 70)
Substitutes Not Used: 12-Demi Stokes, 13-Ellie Roebuck, 17-Lucy Staniforth, 21-Sandy MacIver, 23-Grace Fisk
Head coach: Phil Neville
ESP: 13-Sandra Paños; 3-Ainhoa Maraza, 20-Andrea Pereira, 16-Mapi Leon, 15-Leila Ouahabi (7-Marta Corredera, 58); 19-Amanda Sempedro (10-Jennifer Hermoso, 68), 8- Mariona (11-Alexia Putellas, 58), 6-Aitana Bonmati, 18-Angela Sosa (9-Marta Cardona, 60), 12-Patricia Guijarro (14-Virginia Torrecilla, 57); 17- Lucia Garcia (22-Alba Redondo, 90+4)
Substitutions Not Used: 1-Lola Gallaro, 2-Ona Batlle, 4-Irene Paredes, 5-Ivana Andres, 21- Sheila Garcia, 23-M. Asuncion Quinones
Head coach: Jorge Vilda
Stats Summary: ENG / ESP
Shots: 6 / 9
Shots on Goal: 0 / 3
Saves: 2 / 0
Corner Kicks: 4 / 2
Fouls: 8 / 13
Offside: 3 / 4
Misconduct Summary:
ESP - Leila Ouahabi (Caution) 12th minute
ENG - Jill Scott (Caution) 72
ENG - Leah Williamson Caution) 78
Officials:
Referee: Danielle Chesky (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Jennifer Garner (USA)
4th Official: Katja Koroleva (USA)