Spain Thump Moldova in Women’s Euro 2022 Qualifier

Caldentey scores three

The La Roja set the Zimbru Stadium alight in today’s Group D fixture for their Euro 2022 qualification.

There is not much more Jorge Vilda would have asked for. The head coach would be ecstatic about the enthusiasm shown by the team to get as many goals as they did so early on in the game.

The display was frightening and also embarrassing when taking into account Moldova only registered one attempt on goal on target; they had three shots in total. In contrast, Spain had a stunning 38 shots on goal, with 18 of their attempts hitting the target, although 7 of them have been registered as blocked. In almost all attacking aspects of the game, Spain was dominant.

From possession (65%) to corner kicks (13) to offsides (6), Spain was a constant threat. The only forward play they did not dominate was goal kicks, where Moldova took 18.

However, there is one stat that sheds light on their performance, the number of fouls, which was extremely high at 16 but only one yellow card was given. This is a clear indication of a high-pressing, which when caught under pressure and risk being exposed to counter attacks, commit fouls high up the pitch to halt their opposition; commonly executing what we now call the tactical foul, made famous by Spain and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

It would seem that the margin on Moldova’s loss doesn’t tell the whole story but at an international level, a heavy defeat like this is worrying.

It was a game of much meaning of Spain as they played for their fellow teammate Virginia Torrecilla, who earlier in the year removed a benign brain tumor and is now in recovery.