Goals from Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey saw Spain ease to the Women's Nations League title on Wednesday as they beat France 2-0 in the final.
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Spain beat France 2-0 in Nations League finalGoals from Bonmati and Mariona secure winLa Roja add to last year's World Cup triumphGettyTELL ME MORE
It was a game that France were never really in, as they failed to register a single shot on target in 90 minutes, and they could've fallen behind much earlier than they did, too. A big block from Griedge Mbock Bathy denied Salma Paralluelo early on and then Irene Paredes headed a corner against the post, before Bonmati broke the deadlock just past the half hour mark when she finished Olga Carmona's brilliant cross from close range.
Laia Aleixandri was so close to doubling that lead with the final action of the half, with Amandine Henry blocking her header at point blank range, but it didn't take long for Spain to make it 2-0 after the break. A slick pass from Athenea del Castillo picked out Mariona in the box and her arrowed finish left France goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin with no chance.
Les Bleues head coach Herve Renard made changes in response to the goal but it was too late. The damage was already done as Spain comfortably saw out the game to claim the inaugural Women's Nations League title, backing up their World Cup triumph.
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This was a real chance for France to add some meaningful silverware to a rather sparse collection. Les Bleues' only trophies to date have come in friendly tournaments, succumbing to a third-successive quarter-final exit in last year's World Cup. However, it was Spain, the world champions, who instead reasserted their status as the best in the game by picking up this Nations League title.
GettyTHE MVP
Bonmati was outstanding in Seville but it was Mariona who really stole the show, and not just because of a wonderfully taken goal that put the result beyond doubt. The Barcelona star was a constant thorn in France's side in her free-roaming role on the left wing, with no player on the pitch having more touches. But she worked hard on the other side of the ball, too, winning all four of her aerial duels, making three interceptions and winning possession back seven times in another classy, title-winning display.
GettyTHE BIG LOSER
Both teams were unchanged from their Nations League semi-final wins last Friday, as both coaches rewarded the performances of those players and gave them a chance to back up that display, but France were noticeably more sluggish, lacking serious energy on the rare occasions that they got into the final third. You can't help but ask, then, whyRenard didn't change things up at half-time. Les Bleues were crying out for fresh legs and an injection of pace but by the time he opted to make subs, Spain had doubled their first half lead and the game had already got away from them.
