A 4-1 win over Finland followed by a puzzling 2-0 loss to Germany leaves Spain in a precarious position as they face Denmark on Matchday 3 of Euro 2022.
The loss to Germany was of a particular vintage, marked by Spain’s trademark elegance in possession and Germany’s distinct precision in front of goal.
🇩🇰 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 🇪🇸
Who's going through to the quarters? #WEURO2022 | #DEN | #ESP pic.twitter.com/bFlFjLX5tx
— UEFA Women's EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 16, 2022
Germany had two shots on target and scored with both of them. Spain had 70% possession through 90 minutes and managed just three shots on goal. Dios mio.
Yes, they’re missing Alexia Putellas, the jewel in their crown. Yes, they’re missing Jennifer Hermoso, their top scorer. But the loss to Germany wasn’t a case of La Roja being overwhelmed. It was, rather, a display of familiarity.
Let me weave a short tale of numbers.
Spain had 559 accurate passes that evening, 330 of those in Germany’s half.
According to Opta Analyst’s data, across two games at Euro 2022, Spain are in the top five for forcing high turnovers (35), build-up sequences (14), and Passes Per Defensive Action (6) (the lower the number, the higher the level of pressing).
Those turnovers and build-ups, though, rarely end with the ball in the back of the net. Spain haven’t scored from a high turnover yet despite forcing 35 of them across two games. They’ve had turnovers that end with shots, but rather speculative ones.
Germany, on the other hand, showed them how it’s done. Klara Buhl’s 3rd-minute strike was a direct consequence of Germany pressing high, forcing a turnover from Sandra Panos.
The loss to the Germans was a classic case of Spain stitching intricate plays through slick passing, patiently building in possession, like a viper coiling to attack. Only, they never struck.
Mapi Leon’s diligent, ice-cool composure, Ona Batlle’s ridiculously well-timed, right-place-right-time defence, and Aitana Bonmati’s beating-heart display in possession, all came to nought as Germany registered a smash-and-grab victory in Brentford.
It leaves Spain facing a shootout with Denmark in their final group game. Win against the Pernille Harder-championed Danes and Spain will book a date with Euro 2022 favourites England in sunny Brighton. Lose and, well, that’s that.
As they face up to Denmark, Spain will have no choice but to come up with the goods. But to do that, La Roja will have to do something simple, something that’s usually preceded with the words “for the love of god”: put the ball in the back of the net.
Written by Colin D’Cunha
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