Two new coaches, one big win, one big disappointment. What did the match between Sweden and Spain provide?
The Nations League semi-final between Spain and Sweden marked the debut of two new coaches. However, it was not a pleasant debut for Tony Gustavsson.
- Sweden were comprehensively beaten 4:0 by Spain in the first leg of the UEFA Women’s Nations League semifinal, played in Málaga.
- The hosts opened the scoring within the first ten minutes via a free kick by Alexia Putellas (after Angeldahl´s foul on Mariona Caldentey), and Sweden were already trailing 3:0 by the 35-minute mark.
- Sweden’s head coach Tony Gustavsson admitted the loss “hurts a bit extra” and recognised Spain’s quality, noting a single half-metre error against such opponents can be costly.
- While Sweden improved in the second half, they lacked clear scoring chances, mostly created by Stina Blackstenius, and Spain sealed the emphatic result with a fourth goal deep in stoppage time.
- The defeat leaves Sweden with a steep challenge ahead of the return leg on home ground, with momentum firmly on Spain’s side.
- The rematch will take place on October 28 at Gamla Ulevi in Gothenburg.
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