Spain and its willpower defeat the United States

”They are delighted to be in the national team, which is the greatest privilege for a player;

I know that none of the 23 would change being in the national team and facing the best in the world for being anywhere else.

They deserve to be here and tomorrow they will prove it”, said Jorge Vilda on the eve of the match between Spain and the world champion from the United States.

What their players showed this Tuesday night before 11,000 spectators is that they have enthusiasm, desire to fight and, on top of that, fang.

Which, precisely, is never too much in a team that has been playing together for so little time.

Spain won (for the first time in its history) (2-0) the number one team in the world —with a goal from debutant Laia Codina— because she had, of course, much more willpower than her rival, who took the match like a summer party.

With autumn weather, yes.

Almost reluctantly played the United States team.

Or at least that was the impression.

At times he had the whole team in the middle of the Spanish field, when he wanted he changed his pace and planted himself in the rival area with three touches vertically, and when he didn't, he played at a trot, and walked around without pressing more than fair and necessary.

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Spain played, instead, as if his life depended on it.

While the United States coach did not leave the bench throughout the game —except to approach the fourth official to communicate the changes—, Vilda spent the entire 90 minutes screaming her head off in the technical zone, waving her arms here and there to give instructions and clapping nonstop.

There was no reaction from the United States after Laia Codina's goal in the 38th minute. And the second half followed the rhythm of the first.

The United States at a trot, Spain showing its teeth and creating the most dangerous chances, such as Esther González's shot in the 62nd minute. It was a warning of what would happen ten minutes later: another great shot after a cross from the right by Oihane to sign the 2-0.

The crisis with the 15-player squad may be over.

And that the party began with a resounding whistle to Jorge Vilda, the coach.

In Córdoba, on Thursday, the whistles were much less, and were partially covered by the volume of the stadium's public address system.

The technician said he had not heard them and also said that he was left with how the public had vibrated.

This Tuesday, in order not to listen to them, he would have had to wear earplugs.

After the first whistle there was another, when the image of him appeared on the video scoreboards, a minute and a half into the game.

Very different was the reception for the soccer players, applauded and cheered at each pass.

A group, like Vilda repeats whenever she can, under construction and to be proud of because they smile, absorb like a sponge and have no mental reservations whatsoever.

Last night in that group debuted the defender -scorer- Laia Codina (22 years old,

of Barcelona) in a defense with three central defenders.

Spain formed with Misa in goal, Oihane, Ivana Andrés, Rocío Gálvez, Laia Codina and Olga Carmona in defense, Maitane López and Maite Oroz as double pivot and Claudia Zornoza, Alba Redondo and Esther González up front.

Regarding the match against Sweden, the coach made three changes to the starting eleven (he removed Irene, Tere and Athenea) for Maite Oroz, Laia Codina and Maitane López.

He looked for a more defensive line-up, although Irene's change was mandatory due to injury.

The United States, for its part, came out with several players with only one international match behind them.

The goal was Murphy's;

Cook, Sauerbrunn, Mace and Rodman formed the defence, Horan and Smith the midfield and up a line of three, made up of Rapinoe, Sullivan and Peickett.

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