Spain battle back to beat Finland 4-1 in Women’s Euro 2022
Sports Desk, Jul 8 (EFE).- Spain came from behind Friday to hammer Finland 4-1 in the opening match for both teams in Women’s Euro 2022.
La Roja, one of the pre-tournament favorites, conceded in the first minute, but went on to enjoy 78 percent possession and outshoot the Finns 32-4 in front of nearly 17,000 people at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, northwest of London.
Spain are leaders in Group B pending the outcome of Friday night’s contest between Germany and Denmark.
Though they are without injured star Alexia Putellas, talent-laden Spain were expected to have a comfortable time against Finland.
Yet it was the Finns who struck first, going ahead in the first minute on a fine goal by Linda Sällström, who latched on to a great deep ball to beat goalkeeper Sandra Panos with some help from the post.
Spain reacted immediately. Mariona Caldentey forced a save from Finnish keeper Tinja-Riika Korpela in the 8th minute and Leila Ouahabi hit the cross-bar.
Korpela made three more stops before Irene Paredes broke through in the 26th minute with a thundering header off one of the 17 corners La Roja won.
Aitana Bonmati made it 2-1 for Spain in the 41st minute and ran over to the sideline to celebrate with Putellas, standing on crutches.
The margin was still just a goal as the match entered the final 20 minutes, thanks to Korpela, and the Finns also generated chances of their own.
But Lucia Garcia headed in off a corner in the 75th to give Spain a two-goal edge. Caldentey converted a penalty in extra-time to complete the 4-1 result. EFE cmg/dr
