Calmed by the defeat of Sweden in Georgia (0-2) a few minutes before entering the field in Greece, Spain fulfilled its objective by taking the three points (1-0). If Luis Enrique’s players do not lose against Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s teammates on Sunday night at home (8:45 p.m.), they will be directly qualified for the 2022 World Cup.
La Roja was serious in an Olympic stadium in Athens filled with only 10,000 people (including 3,000 Spaniards). Never threatened in the first period, author of 453 successful passes against only 92 for her opponent before the break, she opened the scoring in the 24th with a generous penalty awarded to Inigo Martinez. In the 36th, Vlachodimos prevented Morata from widening the gap, after a great personal action from the Juventus player. Previously, newcomer Raul De Tomas had created two chances but could not frame (17th, 23rd).
Positioned higher after the break, Greece was more interesting but exposed itself to cons, which Rodrigo Moreno could not improve (68th, 83rd). Without Ferran Torres, Oyarzabal, Fati, Pino or Gerard Moreno (injured), the Seleccion lacked weight offensively. But she was able to find the flaw and be solid defensively to switch to the top of Group B.
11
Spain have scored one goal in each of their last eleven matches.
The man: Sarabia in full confidence
Spain remained on five missed penalties in a row but Pablo Sarabia did not tremble when it came time to set off to transform the one obtained against Greece. It must be said that the striker is confident: with Sporting CP, where he is on loan from PSG, he has been involved in five goals in his last seven matches (two goals, three assists).
This Thursday evening, he was preferred to Olmo, Fornals or Soler to form with De Tomas and Morata an attacking trio entirely formed by Real Madrid. He was also the best of the three, illustrated in particular by his precision (17 successful passes out of 19 in the opposing camp), his feints (one of them led to the yellow of Tsimikas in the 55th) but also his defensive work (a warning received, 3 balls recovered in the first period).