(Wolverhampton) A goal from star midfielder Alexia Putellas gave Spain a 1-0 win over Canada on Wednesday in the sides’ final game at the Arnold Clark Cup.
Posted at 1:02 p.m.
Spain, ninth in the standings, were true to their style, displaying elegance and confidence, aggressiveness in defense and ball control in attack.
Putellas, Ballon d’Or winner, Best FIFA Women’s Player and UEFA Women’s Player of the Year, pulled the strings for Spain as the team extended their unbeaten streak to 19 games (17- 0-2) since a 1-0 loss to the United States at the SheBelieves Cup in March 2020.
The 28-year-old Barcelona star came close to scoring a second time in the 63and minute, but his header from a corner kick ended up on the post.
A victory and Canada, sixth in the table (1-1-1), would have won the tournament after drawing 1-1 against England (8and) and signed a 1-0 victory against Germany (3and) in his previous match. Spain (1-0-2) drew 1-1 with Germany and 0-0 with England.
England (0-0-2) play Germany (0-1-1) later and they need a win to catch Spain for the tournament title.
While Spain controlled possession early on, the Canadian Olympic champions looked up to it and created several chances in a largely deserted Molineux stadium.
But Spain took the lead in the 21and minute when Patri Guijarro stole the ball from Canadian defender Ashley Lawrence in midfield. Five passes later, Putellas, left alone, sneaked into the middle of the penalty area and beat keeper Kailen Sheridan.
The game became more scrappy in the second half as substitutions were made. Canada attempted to tie the game late but was unsuccessful.
The loss was only the fourth for the Canadian team under coach Bev Priestman, whose record is 10-4-6, including two shootout wins at the Tokyo Olympics. The other losses came against the United States, Brazil and Mexico.