The Spanish national team is back in competition after winning the Nations League. Spain have made a spectacular start to the group phase to qualify for Euro 2025 in Switzerland. Montse Tomé‘s team have won their first two games against Belgium (0-7) and the Czech Republic (3-1).
Spain kicked off their Euro 2025 qualifiers against Belgium at the Den Dreef Stadion in Leuven with a thrashing. The Spaniards won with a seven-goal lead thanks to a hat-trick from Salma Paralluelo, a brace from Esther González and goals from Jenni Hermoso and Sheila García.
Salma Parralluelo showed that she isn’t just on a roll with FC Barcelona. The striker scored three goals as a real ‘killer’ in the penalty area, always taking advantage of space on the edge of the offside area. The first goal came from a left-footed shot after several rebounds from a corner; the second came after taking advantage of a spectacular back-heel pass from Alexia Putellas and, the third, a finish from a cross from the left by Ona Batlle.
Esther González’s return in style with a brace is also great news. Spain need a ‘9’ for tight games, where they have to look for crosses or fight for aerial balls. It seems that Alba Redondo isn’t convincing Montse Tomé, although she is getting minutes in the final stages of games.
With the loss of Aitana Bonmatí, the current Golden Ball player, Spain could struggle to find a replacement. The Catalan player is a differential player and was an important loss due to her injuries during this break. Montse Tomé took the opportunity to keep the same structure and gave Alexia Putellas a starting XI alongside Jenni Hermoso and Tere Abelleira.
Alexia Putellas seems to be regaining confidence with every minute and it is no coincidence that she assisted Salma Paralluelo’s back-heel. The Catalan has a magical left foot which, when she touches the ball, makes all the difference. Few players have her football and vision, and when she connects with Jenni Hermoso, they make a lethal duo. That’s how Belgium suffered, with both players inspired and guiding Spain to the win.
The win helped Spain gain confidence for the group stage opener, but the second game wouldn’t be so easy. ‘La Roja’ have become accustomed to winning and these matches serve to show that it is also possible to win by suffering. Montse Tomé tried a new system against the Czech Republic: a more attacking formation, with a three-man defence and more players in midfield, but it didn’t work.
A lot of rotations and a back three of Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes and María Méndez. In the middle, Maite Oroz joined Jenni Hermoso, Alexia Putellas and Mariona Caldentey. Up front, a new trident formed by Athenea del Castillo, Lucía García and Eva Navarro.
Spain weren’t at all comfortable in the first half. They weren’t able to play the ball well, they lost a lot of the ball and didn’t win aerial duels. Czech Republic surprised with their intensity and high pressure on the Spanish ball. Montse Tomé was able to react in time and changed the initial approach by bringing on Olga Carmona after the break to return to the classic 4-3-3 formation.
From then on, Spain were back to their usual Spain and the chances started to come. However, the Czechs struck first with an unstoppable left-footed shot from the edge of the area by Sonntagova. Spain reacted very quickly and in the next move, from a set piece, María Mendez equalised.
The game seemed to start again from scratch at that moment. All of Spain’s football began to pass through the boots of Mariona Caldentey, who took the baton and was the orchestra conductor of the comeback. Shortly afterwards, Jenni Hermoso added the second, after a magical pass filtered through by Mariona. The Balearic player put the game to bed with a goal of her own from inside the area.
Spain suffered and was able to react in time. With victories over Belgium and the Czech Republic, the Spanish national team remains at the top of the rankings on the road to Euro 2025 in Switzerland. Denmark are also unbeaten and will be Spain’s next opponents in a double-header: on 31 May, Spain will travel to Vejle and, four days later, they will meet at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López in Tenerife.
This clash will be key for the qualification to Euro 2025. The Spaniards continue to show that they are at a higher level than the rest of the teams and the good run of form continues to lengthen. All this before a busy summer in which Spain will be present at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Translated by Marcos Rodríguez.
Main image: @SEFutbolFem.
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