Spain closed out their Cup of Nations campaign with a 3-0 win over Czechia on a wet Wednesday afternoon in Newcastle.
A first-half double from Esther González and late Athenea Del Castillo penalty saw La Roja come out on top in the all-European clash.
Spain created the first opportunity of the game five minutes in, as Irene Guerrero’s shot was saved well by Olivie Lukasova.
The half-hour mark brought the match’s opening goal, as González tapped home from close range after a lovely team move.
Ten minutes later, González scored her third goal of the tournament with a well-taken header. The goal took the Spanish striker top of the golden boot rankings ahead of Australia’s final match against Jamaica.
Czechia looked to start the second half brightly, and had the ball in the back of the net after 49 minutes as Petra Bertholdová curled one into the top corner – only to be denied by the offside flag.
Inside the final ten minutes, substitute Athenea Del Castillo was brought down in the area, and converted the spot-kick to cap off a strong Spanish performance.
The result sent Spain temporarily to the top of the standings, above Australia, before the CommBank Matildas played their final match against Jamaica.
MATCH DETAILS
Czechia: 0
Spain: 3 (Esther González 29′, 40′, Athenea Del Castillo 84′)
Date: Wednesday, 22 February
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 2:30pm AEDT
Broadcast: Live and Exclusive on Paramount+
Referee: Rebecca Durcau (AUS)
Assistant Referees: Sarah Ho (AUS), Lauren Hargrave (AUS)
Fourth Official: Lara Lee (AUS)
Czechia Line up: 1. Olivie Lukášová (GK), 3. Aneta Dědinová, 4. Petra Bertholdová (C), 5. Gabriela Šlajsová, 6. Michaela Khýrová (2. Anna Dlasková 73′), 8. Aneta Pochmanová, 9. Andrea Stašková (7. Lucie Martínková 56′), 12. Klára Cahynová (15. Antonie Stárová 45′), 18. Alena Pěčková, 19. Simona Necidová, 22. Franny Černá (20. Denisa Veselá 73′)
Substitutes: 16. Barbora Růžičková (GK), 23. Tereza Fuchsová (GK), 10. Kristýna Růžičková, 11. Barbora Polcarová, 13. Jitka Chlastáková, 14. Klára Cvrčková, 17. Adéla Radová, 21. Miroslava Mrázová
Yellow Card: Cahynová 45′
Red Card: Dědinová (yellow card 58′, 90′)
Spain Line up: 23. Lete Para (GK), 3. Abelleira Dueñas Teresa, 4. Gálvez Luna Rocío, 6. Codina Panedas (12. Pujadas Boix 45′), 7. Guerrero SanmartÍn (Irene) (21. Zornoza Sanchez), 9. Gonzalez Rodriguez (Esther) (11. Redondo Ferrer 45′), 10. Jennifer Hermoso (16. Benitez Iannuzzi (Fiamma) 59′), 17. Paralluelo Ayingono (22. Del Castillo Beivide (Athenea) 59′) 18. Cardona de Miguel (Marta), 19. Carmona GarcÍa (Olga), 24. Garcia Gomez (Sheila) (20. Tomás Serer 67′)
Subs not used: 1. Rodríguez Rivero María Isabel (GK), 13. Salon Marcuello (Enith) (GK), 2. Hernández Zurbano Oihane, 5. Andrés Sanz (Ivana), 8. Oroz Areta, 14. Méndez Fernández, 15. Navarro Garcia (Eva), 25. Carro Nolasco
Yellow Card: Fiamma 67′
Red Card: N/A
