Mariona Caldentey (C) of Spain breaks through during the UEFA Women's Nations League 2024 semifinal match between Spain and the Netherlands in Sevilla, Spain, on Feb. 23, 2024. (Photo by Pablo Morano/Xinhua)
SEVILLE, Spain, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish women's football team reached the UEFA Women's Nations League final and also booked their first ever appearance at the Paris Olympics with a 3-0 win over the Netherlands on Friday night.
The World Champions produced an impressive display in the Estadio de la Cartuja in Seville, with first half goals from Jenni Hermoso and Aitana Bonmati putting them 2-0 ahead at the break.
Hermoso controlled a horizontal pass on the edge of the Dutch area, before beating two defenders with a subtle movement and scoring with a left-foot shot from just inside the area in the 41st minute.
Aitana then arrived from deep to produce an unstoppable finish following a cross from her FC Barcelona teammate Mariona Caldentey a minute from halftime.
The goals were well deserved, with Spain pressing hard and pushing their rivals deep for most of the first 45 minutes and if Salma Paralluelo had been more precise, they would have been ahead before Hermoso's opener.
Salma put two chances just wide when she looked certain to score, while great defending from Sherida Spitse frustrated another attempt midway through the half.
The Netherlands tried to react after the interval but their best effort, a Lieke Martins header, went over the bar.
The result was beyond doubt in the 77th minute when Ona Batlle forced home from close range to finish off a move she had started with a break down the left. ■
Jennifer Hermoso (R) of Spain celebrates a goal during the UEFA Women's Nations League 2024 semifinal match between Spain and the Netherlands in Sevilla, Spain, on Feb. 23, 2024. (Photo by Pablo Morano/Xinhua)
Players of Spain line up before the UEFA Women's Nations League 2024 semifinal match between Spain and the Netherlands in Sevilla, Spain, on Feb. 23, 2024. (Photo by Pablo Morano/Xinhua)
Jennifer Hermoso of Spain celebrates a goal during the UEFA Women's Nations League 2024 semifinal match between Spain and the Netherlands in Sevilla, Spain, on Feb. 23, 2024. (Photo by Pablo Morano/Xinhua)
Athenea del Castillo (down) of Spain vies with Dominique Janssen (R) and Esmee Brugts of the Netherlands during the UEFA Women's Nations League 2024 semifinal match between Spain and the Netherlands in Sevilla, Spain, on Feb. 23, 2024. (Photo by Pablo Morano/Xinhua)
Aitana Bonmati of Spain celebrates a goal during the UEFA Women's Nations League 2024 semifinal match between Spain and the Netherlands in Sevilla, Spain, on Feb. 23, 2024. (Photo by Pablo Morano/Xinhua)
