Spain into last four of Women's Nations League after 2-1 win over England
BARCELONA :Spain's Claudia Pina came off the bench and scored twice as the reigning Nations League champions came back from a goal down to beat England 2-1 on Tuesday and claim victory in Group 3, booking their spot in the last four of this year's competition.
With Germany and France having already secured victory in Groups 1 and 2 respectively, world champions Spain and European champions England met to decide their group. Sweden took on Denmark in a winner-takes-all clash in Stockholm that kicked off half an hour later.
Spain piled the pressure on from kickoff, striker Esther Gonzalez forcing England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton into a superb one-handed reflex save early on, but Alessio Russo gave the visitors the lead with a well-taken finish against the run of play in the 22nd minute.
The hosts enjoyed plenty of possession but created little in the way of dangerous chances. Pina entered the fray in the 58th minute and equalised less than two minutes later, flashing a shot across Hampton and into the net as England were punished for losing possession when trying to play out from the back.
With Euro 2025 due to start in a month's time, the 23-year-old Pina staked her claim for a starting spot by getting the winner 10 minutes later, curling home a brilliant dipping effort that left Hampton helpless. The win moved Spain to 15 points from six games, five ahead of England.
In the evening's other decisive game, Sweden look set to join Spain in the final four after they raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first 11 minutes of their home clash with Scandinavian neighbours Denmark, and they were 5-1 up by the hour mark.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
EU a 'reliable partner' for digital cooperation amid turbulence, tech chief says
BRUSSELS :The European Union will work with international partners to boost its competitiveness and promote a rules-based global digital order, EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said on Thursday, a move aimed at offsetting turbulent ties with the United States. The U.S. administration has in recent months criticised the European Commission for its swathe of new rules reining in the power of Big Tech and threatened to impose tariffs in retaliation for fines levied on U.S. tech giants. Under the proposed International Digital Strategy announced on Thursday, the 27-country bloc will collaborate with other countries for a secure and trusted digital infrastructure in energy, transport, finance and health, the European Commission said. Other areas of cooperation include emerging technologies, digital governance that fosters social cohesion and protects democratic principles, cybersecurity and protecting children on online platforms. "We are living through a profound digital revolution that is reshaping economies and societies worldwide. This is happening in a geopolitical landscape that is more challenging than before," Virkkunen told a press conference. "In this environment, the EU is stepping forward as a stable and reliable partner, deeply committed to digital cooperation with our allies and partners," she said. Virkkunen said the proposed strategy had two prongs - the first is to boost the bloc's competitiveness in key technologies like AI, quantum cybersecurity or semiconductors, and the second is to help other countries in their digital goals. "Crucially, it reaffirms the EU's unwavering commitment to building a rules-based global digital order, rooted firmly in our fundamental values. Indeed, no country or region can lead the technological revolution alone," she said.
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Wheatley confident Audi will be winners in F1
Timing is everything in Formula One and Jonathan Wheatley reckons he got his right in leaving Red Bull, the team with the most race wins and drivers' titles this century, to become principal of Sauber. The Swiss-based team will become the Audi works outfit from next season but were at the bottom of the standings until Nico Hulkenberg's fifth place in Spain last Sunday raised them two places to eighth. Sauber have won only once since 1993 - in 2008 when owned by BMW - and there are nagging questions about how competitive the 2026 engine will be, with early reports not encouraging. But Wheatley said they had all the building blocks for success. "We're looking at a campus expansion, we've got an ambitious program ahead of us and investment from Audi and QIA (Qatar Investment Authority). I'm really, really super-excited about where we're at," the Briton told Reuters. "I do not come to work to make up the numbers. I absolutely believe that we'll get on that path and we'll be winning races and world championships." Wheatley has decades of experience, now in his 35th year in Formula One after starting as a junior mechanic with Benetton. He joined Red Bull from Renault in 2006 and was sporting director when he left at the end of last season. With Red Bull he won six constructors' titles, eight drivers' titles and 120 grands prix. He was also instrumental in securing Max Verstappen's first title in 2021 after a radio conversation with race director Michael Masi triggered a fateful change to the safety car procedure. The Briton said such experiences had shaped him and would help in his new role, which he started in April. "The radio transcripts in Abu Dhabi showed the extreme competitive passion from all the teams and I can't begin to tell you what that feels like on the pitwall in a world championship life or death situation," he said. "There's a lot of people in my position in the sport who are intensely competitive. I've absolutely absorbed myself in that (at Red Bull) and I'm absorbing myself here. It really genuinely feels like my team already and I've only been here two months." Wheatley said the move to principal felt "entirely natural" and, unlike that from Renault to Red Bull, had involved no agonising. Red Bull had the most dominant season in Formula One history in 2023, winning 21 of 22 races, but were then in the firing line. Team boss Christian Horner faced allegations, of which he was cleared, of improper conduct towards a female employee. Relations with Verstappen's father Jos soured and star designer Adrian Newey announced his departure for Aston Martin. Wheatley, who could have stayed, said his decision was all about future opportunity. "There was a huge amount of talented people in that team over the whole period I was there. I've learned from as many of them as I could... we knitted a team together there and we did something quite extraordinary. "I absolutely loved that initial stage of transforming a team and then I kind of wanted to do it again... the idea of coming to this team in this transition period at this point in history was enormously attractive to me." While former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto heads the Audi project, Wheatley is in charge at the track and plans to attend all the races. "It's going to take time, but where we're starting from is a good place," he said.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Smith replaces Salt in England squad for West Indies T20s
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Third One Day International - England v West Indies - Kia Oval, London, Britain - June 3, 2025 England's Jamie Smith in action Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo REUTERS LONDON - England have called up Jamie Smith to their squad for the three-match Twenty20 series against West Indies as a replacement for Phil Salt, who has left the team on paternity leave, the country's cricket board (ECB) said on Thursday. England completed a 3-0 sweep of West Indies in their one-day international series on Tuesday, with Smith scoring a rapid half century in their victory in the final match. "Salt, who is taking time away on paternity leave following the birth of his child earlier this week, will now spend time at home. He has been replaced in the squad by Surrey batter Jamie Smith," the ECB said in a statement. The first T20 match takes place at the Riverside Ground in Durham on Friday. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
