Spain vs Ukraine: Vicky López Shines in Dominant Victory | Player Ratings & Analysis
Antalya, Turkey – The Spanish women’s national football team secured a 3-0 victory over Ukraine on Saturday, , in a match that showcased both established stars and emerging talent. The win provides a positive momentum for La Roja as they continue their preparations for upcoming international competitions.
Vicky López delivered a standout performance, leading the Spanish midfield with both skill and composure. The 19-year-old’s influence on the game was evident throughout, seamlessly integrating with players like Alexia Putellas and Salma Paralluelo. López capped her performance by converting a penalty in the 55th minute, extending Spain’s lead to 3-0 and demonstrating a willingness to take on responsibility.
Goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez enjoyed a relatively quiet first half in her return to the Spanish national team, having not featured since , during the Olympic Games against Brazil. She faced her first real test in the 72nd minute with a save from Kravchuk, but was unable to prevent Ukraine from scoring in the 76th minute following an anticipatory play by Ovdiychuk. Her overall performance was described as “good.”
Jana Fernández started at right-back in place of Batlle, who was rested for this match. While not as prominent in attack as her teammate, Fernández demonstrated intelligence in her positioning and contributed to the team’s pressing efforts. She made several important ball recoveries, including one in the 25th minute, but was cautioned with a yellow card in the 73rd minute and could have offered more defensive support leading to Ukraine’s goal. Her performance is marked as needing improvement.
Central defenders María Méndez and Laia Codina both delivered solid performances, providing a stable foundation at the back. Méndez contributed to the build-up play and had a scoring opportunity with a header in the 31st minute before being substituted. Codina effectively handled a one-on-one situation against Hiryn, and also contributed to the team’s ball progression. Both were assessed as performing “very well.”
Lucía Corrales, starting as the left-back, had a particularly impressive outing. She actively joined the attack from the beginning, forcing a save in the 34th minute and then scoring a powerful goal in the 49th minute, striking the ball against the underside of the crossbar. Her performance earned a “high notable” rating.
Beyond López’s standout performance, Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, also impressed with her connection with López and her overall leadership on the pitch. She created several opportunities and consistently drove the team forward. Her performance was deemed “notable.”
Athenea del Castillo, initially deployed on the left wing before switching with Salma Paralluelo, showcased her individual skills with several attempts on goal. Her play contributed to the penalty that López converted. She also received a “very well” assessment.
Edna Imade opened the scoring for Spain in the 44th minute with an assist from Paralluelo. She continued to threaten the Ukrainian defense in the second half, with a header going over the bar in the 61st minute and another shot on target in the 67th minute. Her performance was also rated as “notable.”
Salma Paralluelo was more comfortable playing on the left wing, making good runs into the penalty area and delivering crosses. She provided the assist for Imade’s opening goal and earned a “notable” rating.
Several substitutions were made during the match. Fiamma Benítez replaced Alexia Putellas, attempting to maintain the flow of play in midfield, while Eva Navarro entered for Salma Paralluelo at halftime and made a positive impact on the left wing, creating several chances for Imade. Martina Fernández made her debut for the Spanish national team, coming on for Méndez in the 63rd minute, and Ornella Vignola also entered the game in the 77th minute.
The match provided valuable playing time for both experienced players and emerging talents, offering a glimpse into the future of the Spanish women’s national team. The victory over Ukraine serves as a confidence booster as they prepare for future challenges. The team is currently managed by Pau Quesada and plays its home fixtures at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium in Madrid, a venue with a capacity of 6,000.
Real Madrid Femenino, as the team is officially known, was founded in 2014 as Club Deportivo TACÓN before being integrated into Real Madrid CF in 2020. They currently compete in the Primera División, the top tier of women’s football in Spain.