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Outclassed England have no answer to Pina's double strike
The Guardian
|June 04, 2025
Technically superior, commanding in possession and securing a victory that reflected their dominance, Spain demonstrated why they are the favourites to win the European Championship in Switzerland this summer as they came from behind to defeat England in Barcelona and top their Nations League group.
Clàudia Pina, on as a substitute for Spain, proved to be the matchwinner, scoring twice and causing all sorts of problems for the England defence.
After the visiting side held a half-time lead thanks to Alessia Russo, the Barcelona forward equalised just inside the hour, two minutes after coming on, when she created room to shoot inside the area with her left foot and beat Hannah Hampton.
Her second goal was outstanding, struck from distance with power and finesse, with the ball bouncing in off the post and giving the new England No 1 no chance.
The result ensured Spain progressed to the Nations League semi-finals in October and England finished second in the group. It will have given the England head coach, Sarina Wiegman, plenty to ponder with less than 48 hours before she names her squad for European Championship in July.
This story is from the June 04, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
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