Spain Advances to Eurocup Quarterfinals Despite Defensive Concerns

Spain has confirmed its place in the quarterfinals of the Eurocup in Switzerland following a dominant 6-2 victory over Belgium. However, the match also highlighted Spain's defensive vulnerabilities against a team that was expected to be an inferior opponent. Despite the absence of Aitana and Cata Coll, who is still recovering from recent health issues, Spain's coach Montse Tomé retained a largely unchanged lineup from their previous match against Portugal, with only captain Irene Paredes returning from suspension. The game began promisingly for La Rojas; their persistence paid off in the 21st minute when a series of coordinated attacks saw Vicky assist Alexia near the edge of the box, leading to the opening goal. However, just moments later, Belgium equalized through a corner taken advantage of by the towering Vanhaevermaet, who outjumped Patri Guijarro to head in the goal. This shock prompted Spain to begin anew, displaying the same dominance they had early in the match. Though they continued to control the game, they struggled to convert chances. Spain regained the lead in the 39th minute as Paredes scored from another corner delivered by Claudia Pina. Despite the scoreboard favoring Spain, Belgium's defensive response proved resilient, and they remained in contention headed into halftime. In the second half, Tomé substituted in Aitana to bolster the offense. Although she couldn't find the net immediately, grabbing a crucial chance early on, Belgium found an opportunity on a counterattack that caught Spain off guard. After a VAR review, Belgium equalized again, briefly flipping the match dynamics. Spain quickly responded, showcasing their depth of talent as Esther González struck to make it 3-2, followed soon after by Mariona Caldentey cementing the lead at 4-2 before Claudia Pina's long-range effort sealed the match at 5-2. With Alexia Putellas adding another goal, Spain concluded the game 6-2, solidifying their position as group leaders. Despite the blowout win, there remain significant defensive concerns for Spain that could pose challenges in tougher matchups ahead. Nevertheless, they have successfully achieved their first objective of reaching the knockout stage. As Spain looks to build on this performance, they will need to address their defensive issues if they aim to continue their advancement in the competition. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2