Spain registered a thumping 5-1 win over Switzerland in the first Round of 16 match of the FIFA women’s World Cup 2023 at the Eden Park,Auckland. Spain totally outplayed the Swiss side and were undoubtedly the better team on the pitch throughout the match. Spain maintained 70% of the ball possession and attempted 26 shots in total in comparison to Switzerland’s six. Thanks to some extraordinary execution of their plans the side ran riot against Switzerland to book their slots in the quarter final hereon.
The game began and so did Spain’s domination right from the starting minutes. It took the Spanish side just 5 minutes to open the scoring. Paralluelo’s cross in the box found Redondo who passed it to Bonmati. The Barcelona player curled in a shot to make it 1-0. However Switzerland too found their equaliser in quick time. It was in the 11th minute when Coding in an attempt to pass the ball to the goalkeeper scored an own goal. She attempted a back pass without checking Coll’s position as the ball ended up inside the Spanish net.
The game didn’t remain levelled for long as Redondo put Spain in the lead once again in the 17th minute. Following a run from the wide position, she headed her effort across the goal and into the bottom corner. Spain scored their third in the 36th minute when Bonmati twisted past a couple defenders after recieving Redondo’s headed pass to score. Spain ended the half with another goal from the corner. Albelleira’s cross dropped into the path of Codina who scored calmly thereby redeeming herself for the own goal earlier.
The second half saw the overall pace of the game go down to some extent. Neither of the sides seem to make any attempts. Spain too majorly aimed at maintaining the ball possession after having an unassailable lead of 4-1. They did another goal to their account in the 70th minute eventually. Bonmati made the most of a loose pass by Switzerland at the back and teed the ball upto Hermoso who found the top corner with a brilliant curling shot to score her side’s fitth goal of the match. FT:- Spain 5-1 Switzerland.
