Spain vs Switzerland: 5–1 Spain #1836

The round of 16 at the women’s World Cup began this week between Switzerland and Spain. Switzerland became quite a surprise to win their group. Considering the level of talent coming out of Norway They were the heavy favorites to win their group. Norway somewhat stumbled in the group stage but eventually got it together. However, Switzerland took advantage of this scenario. Even though Switzerland weren’t necessarily dominant. They didn’t exactly light the world on fire. However, they managed to capitalize on what they needed to. To make the round of 16. The fact that they got out of the group wasn’t surprising. However, very few speculated that they were going to win their group. Especially after they nearly went behind against the Philippines in their opening game. We know the rest of the story. The goal is disallowed Switzerland went on to win the game. Got a draw with Norway and beat New Zealand. They very much wanted to avoid would occurred with Switzerland at the guitar World Cup. As they were taken to the shed by Portugal. Spain ended up standing in their way. Spain had a rather disgruntled and to the group. However, beat Zambia and Costa Rica without much difficulty. However, they failed to win the group after Japan humiliated them despite having very minimal position. However, outside of the Japan performance, Spain had been one of the more impressive teams at this World Cup so far. However, the two teams they did beat was against Zambia and Costa Rica. Two nations not exactly given in the highest regard. Then the one challenge they did have they were shut down dramatically. There was a lot of pressure on Spain to get back and rolling and punched their ticket into the quarterfinals something that would be amazing progress. Switzerland ended up being overmatched from the very beginning. Aitana Bonmatí had a truly stunning display. The Barcelona talent opened up the scoring in the opening couple of minutes. With a wonderful strike. She has been one of the best players at this world cup. However, for some reason it has slid under the radar. Switzerland ended up benefiting from a horrid mistake from Spain. A pass from the back ended up back in their own goal. The Spanish goalkeeper was slightly out of position the past intended to her was long and wide and erratic situation as Spain could not avoid and inevitable own goal. Switzerland didn’t have to do a thing and Spain allowed them back into the game. In some ways it could have been the sign of a red flag against a Switzerland side that is nowhere near their level in terms of quality. However, it was only a slight hiccup. As Spain got on a run and doing things very quickly. Around 5 minutes after they’d scored their own goal. Aitana Bonmatí supplied a brilliant ball into Levante forward Alba Redondo as they retook the lead. Aitana Bonmatí She then scored again near the end of the first half Spain and scored again right before the break. To open up a three goal advantage after the first half. Aitana Bonmatí showed her magic again supplying. Jenni Hermoso as the World Cup veteran bagged her first of the world cup as the former teammates link up to only add gas to the fire in an extremely one-sided clash. Switzerland once again are humiliated in the round of 16 at another world cup. They deserve a lot of credit for making it into the knockout rounds as it wasn’t easy to do so. However, Spain, we’re just skating a level above. Spain utterly dominated from start to finish. However, the luck of the draw in some ways has given themselves a slight problem going into the quarterfinals. It’s an amazing moment for España and Spanish women’s football, especially with all the controversy and drama that took place before the tournament. They’ve persevered to all of that made it through to the round of 16 and now dismantling Switzerland into the quarterfinals. While doing so, they may have walked into a pit of fire. The fact of the matter is. Spain has been one of the most impressive teams, at least from a dominating standpoint at this World Cup. In three of the four games they have played at the World Cup, they have displayed the level of dominance fluid football that we would see in a World Cup contender. However, even though it’s not their fault. They have found themselves in a problematic situation. The three victories they have taken at the World Cup have been against. Lowly ranked Costa Rica and Zambia. Then winning in the round of 16 against a Switzerland team that doesn’t have nearly the amount of quality of Spain. Their one defeat came against Japan. As the Asian powerhouse rinse them with four goals. Japan are one of the favorites to win the World Cup. We also saw them make the quarter finals. The one time Spain have been tested at the World Cup. It went poorly. In that defeat they lost a chance to win the group and on top of that. They were completely humiliated despite having 70% possession. While that match itself was a while ago, the reason it’s relevant is because their next challenge could be even more difficult. While Spain have run through Switzerland, Zambia and Costa Rica. The Dutch provide quite an obstacle in the quarterfinals. The Netherlands should be overwhelming favorites to send Spain home. The Netherlands are a very complicated side to deal with, especially in the knockout rounds. They will have a certain level of determination to write the wrongs of their last World Cup and get back to the final this time winning it. The Netherlands have had to go through the pain of losing the World Cup final, especially when they weren’t that full strength. Had they been they probably would be champions. That goes a lot in the psyche of what their motivation is coming from and the levels they’re willing to go to to make that happen. The most complicated thing regarding the Netherlands is the level of control they can have. Spain has dominated possession and had most of the ball in all other victories. The Dutch are just as capable of doing those things. What makes them even more complicated as they can thrive with and without the ball. My growing theme with the Netherlands has been missed. If you let them score first You’re in huge trouble. The way the Netherlands have handled themselves at this World Cup, there’s not a team in the tournament that is more comfortable with a lead than the Netherlands. They only need to score once to beat you. That’s something Spain will need to deal with. The concern I would have from the Spain camp is the one time they were tested. They were ripped apart. No disrespect to Switzerland whatsoever. However, inevitably what was put in front of them in the round of 16 wasn’t a huge challenge. You could say that for many teams, but particularly for the Spain side them not being tested in the round of 16 may go against them against a better team that will be incredibly well prepared for everything. Spain will throw at them. Spain is incredibly talented but the Dutch are not to be played with. The road. So far hasn’t been one of great difficulty that could backfire especially against the Dutch. However, Spain takes one step further and will embrace the challenge that was lay in front of them. That’s difficult as it may be.

Quaterfinals: vs The Netherlands: Thursday