Spain has become the first nation to secure the ticket into the quarter finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup following a 5-1 annihilation of Switzerland in Auckland.
Despite finishing runner-up to Japan in Group C, Spain never looked second best against a Switzerland side that emerged winner of Group A ahead of Norway.
La Joya got off to a dream start as Aitana Bonmati scored the first of her double inside the opening five minutes from an Alba Redondo pass.
However, their lead was cut out six minutes later, as Laia Codina played a blind back pass to Catalina Coll, who was already off her line. The unfortunate own goal leveled the score at 1-1.
Spain however continued to impose themselves on their opponent and reestablished their lead six minutes later, as Alba Redondo heads home an inswinging cross from Bonmati.
Aitana Bonmati completed her brace six minutes after the half hour mark from another Alba Redondo pass. This time, the Barcelona midfielder has more to do but she did so well before firing her shot past Thalmann in goal.
It went from bad to worse for Switzerland, who did not concede a goal in all three group games as Laia Codina scored following a Spain corner on the stroke of half time, making up for the own goal scored earlier in the game.
In doing so, she became only the fourth player to score at both ende of the goal in the tournament history after Brandi Chastain ( United States), vs Germany, 1999 – own goal in the 5th minute, goal in the 49th minute, Eva González ( Argentina), vs England, 2007 – own goal in the 9th minute, goal in the 60th minute and Angie Ponce ( Ecuador), vs Switzerland, 2015 – two own goals in the 24th minute and 71st minute, goal in the 64th minute.
Jennifer Hermoso rounded up the scoreline at 5-1 in the 70th minute, from a Bonmati through ball.
Spain reaches the quarter finals and awaits the winner of the meeting between The Netherlands and South Africa for a place in the semi finals.
Hassan Afolabi
