Spain keeps title as Pina scores twice in victory over Germany

Spain’s team captain Irene Paredes lifts the trophy after winning the league final match in Madrid

Spain 3, Germany 0

Clàudia Pina scored twice and Germany crumbled as Spain retained the Women’s Nations League title with a 3-0 victory in the final’s second leg yesterday [Macau time].

Vicky López also scored after Pina finally broke the deadlock in the 61st minute with Germany stubbornly hanging on as Spain had done in the first leg, a 0-0 draw in Kaiserslautern on Friday.

Spain was without three-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, who broke her leg in training on Sunday.

López took Bonmatí’s place and Spain dominated from the start. Esther González swept the ball just past the post and Mariona Caldentey forced a save from Ann-Katrin Berger early on as the flag-waving fans roared encouragement.

Nearly 56,000 supporters attended the match at Atlético Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium, easily a record for the Spanish team at home. Many children were also present on a cold night in the Spanish capital. None of the supporters seemed to mind the cold with most staying in their seats long after the final whistle.

“One of the most magical nights we have ever experienced, one of the best in my career,” two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas said.

“Some of us have been playing for the national team for 13 years and never imagined this,” Putellas said of the attendance. “It says a lot about what we have achieved with women’s soccer in Spain. We will continue to inspire girls and boys to fight for their dreams, which sometimes come true.”

González tried her luck with an acrobatic scissors kick, and Mariona, López, and Mariona again all had good chances before the break, with Berger doing well to deny the latter.

Nicole Anyomi had a rare opportunity for Germany in a one-on-one with Cata Coll before the halftime whistle, only to drag her shot wide of the right post.

“That has to go in, and she had another one in the box in the second half,” Germany coach Christian Wuck said. “That’s the difference between us and the technically gifted Spanish players.”

Pina got the party underway in the 61st when she breezed past a German defender and played a one-two with Mariona before beating Berger with a low shot. Berger got her hand to the ball but couldn’t stop its progress inside the right post.

The 19-year-old López scored seven minutes later when she cut in from the right and unleashed a curling shot inside the far post.

Pina sealed the win in the 74th after getting a gift of the ball from Germany’s Janina Minge. The Barcelona forward set off for goal and let fly from around 20 meters (yards) past the despairing Berger.

“The goal was to win again and retain the Nations League title. It was all worth it,” Sonia Bermúdez said after winning her first title as Spain coach. The former team captain took over from Montse Tomé in August.

It was only Spain’s second win over old foe Germany. The previous came at the European Championship last summer when Bonmatí scored in extra time for a 1-0 win in the semifinals. Spain went on to lose to England on penalties in the final.

That was the only disappointment after reaching the finals of the last four tournaments. TERESA MEDRANO, MADRID, MDT/AP