| Player of the Match | Angel Martinez/Getty Images |
Spain lifted the UEFA Women’s Nations League trophy for the second time after beating Germany in the two-legged final. All their goals were scored after the break as Christian Wück’s side settled for the silver medal.
Germany deserved much better than the goalless draw on Friday, but they started this one on the wrong foot. Boosted by a packed Metropolitano Stadium atmosphere, Spain created two clear-cut chances inside the first five minutes.
Clàudia Pina played Esther González through in goal, but the striker was unable to test her Gotham FC teammate Ann-Katrin Berger. Alexia Putellas did that with a header from Mariona Caldentey’s pinpoint cross, but Berger was equal to it.
Bayern’s in-form left-back Franziska Kett was one of the best performers in the first-leg, and she was the first to test Cata Coll. Germany settled after the tough start, but Spain had more chances before the half-time break, including Esther’s acrobatic effort and Caldentey’s volley.
Both teams also fashioned chances in injury-time of the first half. Berger made a superb stop to deny Caldentey before Anyomi failed to hit the target with Germany’s best chance of the half.
The Eintracht Frankfurt striker fluffed another decent chance right after the restart with a poor first touch. Spain seemed to lose momentum, but they scored the first goal of the tie in the hour mark. Pina beat Berger with a measured shot after a neat one-two with Caldentey.
Berger admitted she was at fault for Aitana Bonmatí’s injury-time winner in the semi-final of the European championship, and she could also blame herself for Spain’s first goal here. However, she had no chance when Bonmatí’s replacement sealed the hosts’ victory.
Vicky López cuts from the right side before a spectacular finish to the top corner of the net. The Barcelona player received a warm send-off from the fans when she was substituted off a few minutes later. Spain’s ruthless second-half performance continued with yet another goal from range.
Pina completed her brace with a beautiful curling shot from outside the box. Berger prevented further embarrassment with a couple of decent saves in the final ten minutes. Even if she was uncharacteristically ineffective, Klara Bühl should’ve had another assist to her name, but Giula Gwinn missed an absolute sitter in the last meaningful action of the game. Spain are the winners in both of the first two editions of the UEFA Women’s Nations League.
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