Germany had already given Spain a very uncomfortable game four months earlier in the European Cup semi-final. The tie fell to La Roja in extra time after Cata forced extra time with two stoppages at the maximum and Aitana scored from without a corner. However, last Friday, in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League final played at the old Fritz Walter Stadium in Kaiserslautern, the team led by Sonia Bermudez came out alive for Tuesday’s return match at the Metropolitano Stadium by sheer miracle. The goalkeeper’s passes, the three sticks hit by the Germans and their lack of shooting left the team’s display unrewarded. Patriotism dies In front of his audience. Christian Wouk’s side caused a general collapse that had not been seen in a Spanish team for a long time: it caused damage in set-piece attack, unleashed electric transitions that canceled out its rival’s lines and also threatened from set-pieces.
Bermudez admitted after the match, saying: “We did not play our best matches and there are things that need to be adjusted.” His words gave the impression of failure in the face of frank football without the solutions shown by La Roja. The match was the worst in most records since the 4-0 defeat to Japan in the group stage of the 2023 World Cup, according to the specialized statistics company Opta. Spain had just three shots on target – compared to their opponents’ six – and had 56% of possession – an average since the World Cup two years ago – of 70% – and a passing accuracy of 81%. This is the same percentage achieved by Germany, which is an inappropriate number for the team that handles the largest number of balls on the planet.
Alexia Putellas, the second captain, appeared before the media in the mixed zone and tried to reduce the impression that the match was over. She said, “It is the final match, and it is Germany. We expected it to be a very difficult match.” the Patriotism dieswho has not lifted the trophy in nearly a decade, has long been the ogre of European football. Spain suffered five defeats and three draws against the Germans until last summer when they finally broke the wall in the semi-finals of the European Championship. The victory over the eight-time continental champion also came a year after she was denied a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. “You think we will always play well, but it’s complicated. You can’t always play from the first touch,” Kata defended after the 0-0 scoreline.
The goalkeeper was the only positive note for a team that on Friday retreated from the Germans’ physical and vertical display. The team led by Wück, who refused to salute Bermudez after the final whistle, bit down on every split ball with extraordinary intensity and pushed their rival meter after meter towards the penalty area. Spain only posed a threat through an Alexia cross and an Esther González shot against the post in the first ten minutes of the second half, the only period in which they were able to stop their opponents’ football.
Since winning the World Cup in August 2023, the team has lost five matches – Italy, Czech Republic, Brazil, Germany and England – but has never left the impression that the opposition was superior in all aspects of the game. The five defeats since the tournament have ended with Spain having more shots than their opponents, who mainly benefited from counter-attacks. the Patriotism diesOn the other hand, they had more shots than the La Roja players, who kept themselves alive in the draw thanks to three substitutions and Cata’s individual saves. “She was fantastic. She showed that she is also decisive when it comes to keeping a clean sheet. She kept the team there,” Alexia admitted.
The goalkeeper, who by nature always talks about anything, said she had fun amidst the general wreckage of the group: “These are the games I like to play. The team knew how to suffer a lot. We knew why we were here. I enjoyed the whole match, and the stops I made are ones I make in every training session, ones I practice day in and day out, and I don’t highlight any in particular.” With her in goal, Spain will try to make a radical change in their style of play on Tuesday to retain their UEFA Nations League title at the Metropolitano Stadium.