Spain’s women’s field hockey team beat Canada 4-1 in the World Cup opener at the Olympic stadium in Tarrasa, in a match that was already on track at halftime (4-0).
Spain came out strong with four penalty-corners in a row before reaching the fourth minute with proof of the attacking aspect the game would have. In the fourth attempt, it was 1-0 by Madrid’s Belén Iglesias, which meant the first goal for Spain and the World Cup.
Canada, who returned to the World Cup 28 years later, created little danger against the goal defended by Mélanie García. Spain with a dizzying game and with the desire to please the supporters, achieved an excellent second quarter.
The players found the calm needed to perfectly execute two direct kicks from a corner, first from Xantal Giné and then from María López, to make it 3-0 with a triple success in strategic actions.
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? FINAL@AbsolutaFem (4) @FieldHockeyCan (1)
?? Early victory for Spain, who will play their second match this Sunday against Argentina (9:30 p.m.)#HWC2022#Terrassa2022#RedStickspic.twitter.com/xWW4aWGYmH— RFEH (@rfe_hockey) July 1, 2022
A great collective game with a superb final shot by the Aragonese Begoña García completed the 4-0 with which the intermission was reached and allowed them to face the rest of the match more calmly. Canada came out with more energy in the third quarter, but were unsuccessful in their two penalty corners, as did Spain, who took their foot off the accelerator in a scoreless period.
The Canadians saved the honor on their country’s national day by making it 4-1 thanks to Karli Johansen’s penalty corner three minutes from time.
Adrian Lock’s team will play again this Sunday (9:30 p.m.) against Argentina in a match between the two favorites in the fight for first place in Group C.
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