Nations League women’s recap: Hermoso saves Spain, McCabe stars

Friday saw the return of the Women’s Nations League (WNL) as the inaugural group stage reached the halfway point. Here are some of the main talking points from the games.

Hermoso strikes as world champions leave late

After winning the 2023 World Cup this summer, things are far from rosy for Spain. Following the well-documented departures of Luis Rubiales and Jorge Vilda from their respective positions as RFEF president and national team coach, Spain named Vilda’s assistant Montse Tome as head coach . But what happens off the field continues to overshadow what happens on it.

Leading Group 4 of League A with two wins out of two before the match against Italy, La Roja were heading for their first Nations League points drop until the late introduction of striker Jenni Hermoso. At the heart of the Rubiales fallout, Hermoso was left out of Tome’s Spain first team for the first two Nations League matches – raising many eyebrows – but was recalled to the squad this month. And the 33-year-old followed the script to the hilt, breaking the deadlock in the 89th minute to undo all of Italy’s hard work and seal a 1-0 victory.

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Prior to this, Spain had struggled to break down the Italian defensive lines. The Azure themselves are going through a period of upheaval which has seen Andrea Soncin take the reins and turn to a more traditional style – and not doing as much with the ball as they could have. Indeed, there was a familiar pattern for long-time Spain fans, as the team was wasteful and focused too much on retaining the ball rather than taking a shot. But they remain in control of the group.

Hrubesch gets Germany back on track

There has been a lot of confusion around Germany of late, with absent head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg seemingly moved from extended sick leave to vacation amid questions over her future. But Horst Hrubesch, 72, has once again stepped up to the plate.

Hrubesch is no stranger to the German women’s team, having taken charge five years ago when the team suffered an identity crisis following the early departure of Steffi Jones and helped them qualify for the World Cup. And, just like the last time he was in charge, German football has improved greatly and it seems like everyone is on the same page.

It was with this new clarity that Germany went to work against Wales to seal a dominant 5-1 victory that keeps the pressure on Denmark at the top of League A Group 3. The wave of The hosts’ late goals at Sinsheim could be the story. of the day – with three shots past goalkeeper Olivia Clark in the final eight minutes to add some shine to the scoreline as the game drew to a close – but Germany’s reforged partnerships are the main talking point.

Tougher tests lie ahead (they managed 35 shots to Wales’ 4) but the ship is already sailing on calmer waters under Hrubesch. The home game against Denmark on December 1 could well decide first place.

McCabe can’t stop scoring

On a bit of a tear for Arsenal this season with three goals in four games, Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe has transferred that good form to the national team. Star of the show in a comprehensive 5-1 win over Albania in Dublin, she scored three goals and also assisted both of Kyra Carusa’s strikes.

Far from a routine victory or hat-trick, McCabe’s contributions included a pair of thunderous strikes from outside the box – a trademark of the 28-year-old – as well as a sprint 60 meters, weaving through defenders to restart Carusa.

Albania are ranked 72nd in the world, but there is no doubt about McCabe’s individual performance at a time when Ireland are trying to resolve their own off-field problems following the departure of Vera Pauw. Three wins out of three in Group 1 of League B, as well as 12 goals scored and one conceded, is a good start.

The Netherlands loves style

The Netherlands will always create chances: this depends partly on how they play and train, and partly on the talent within the team, particularly in midfield and in the advanced areas. However, the Orange don’t always manage to take their chances and see the matches end. And, after an extra-time quarter-final defeat at the World Cup (albeit to eventual champions Spain), they kicked off their Nations League campaign with a last-minute defeat to Belgium in the Group 1 in League A last month.

But a last-minute winner against England put them in a better position and they made sure to make their chances count in a 4-0 win over Scotland that puts them top on difference of goals. Able to easily bypass Pedro Losa Martinez’s side, the hosts were in complete control of Daniëlle van de Donk’s 12th-minute goal and two second-half goals from Lineth Beerensteyn secured a comfortable victory. The Netherlands are finally starting to look a little more like the team that rose to such prominence in 2017.

And there was more good news with the 83rd minute introduction of Dutch all-time top scorer Vivianne Miedema, as the striker made two late appearances in a week after returning to action for Arsenal on Sunday against Bristol City after 11 months of absence. by injury.

Sweden flatters to deceive

Ranked first in the world according to FIFA, Sweden continued their lackluster form against an improved Swiss side to claim a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to Magda Eriksson’s header in the 43rd minute.

Overall, Sweden were rather disappointing in Gothenburg, unable to assert their authority in a match that could have given them some momentum while chasing Spain in Group 4 of League A. Even if Sweden improved after the break, when they were already one goal ahead of Spain. Well, the team still lacked the attacking flair that coach Peter Gerhardsson cherished. With an Italian team decidedly defensive next Tuesday, perhaps it’s time for Gerhardsson to see what other tricks he has up his sleeve.

Fox shows his stature

At 33, French central defender Wendie Renard is still just as important. The eight-time Champions League winner is one of the most recognizable figures in women’s football, not only for her in-game stature but also for her real-life stature: at 6ft 2in, Renard is hard to miss.

One of Lyon and France’s (not so) secret weapons over the years has been Renard’s aerial ability in both surfaces and even today, 12 years after his first France cap, teams fail unable to adequately mark the long defender and can do little when she rises for a header.

Indeed, while Norway brought their League A Group 2 match to 1-1, they fell into Renard’s trap and failed to mobilize the defender on Salma Bacha’s whipped corner, allowing him to head home in the 69th minute.

France could have made it easier on themselves and converted a few more chances, but once again Renard was there to ensure their unbeaten start to the tournament continued.

Kirby returns for England

Could England have scored more in the 1-0 against Belgium in Leicester? Yes. Should they? And yes.

For the Lionesses, who conceded a late goal last time out against the Netherlands, getting three points on the board in the League A Group 1 clash was key. The match was perhaps dominant from an English point of view (23 shots to 12; 72% possession to 28%), but also riddled with missed opportunities. Nonetheless, a major positive was the return to international action of fan favorite Fran Kirby.

The inspirational midfielder had been out of action for her national team for over a year due to injury and, although she won’t be content with returning to the starting XI, her return gives coach Sarina Wiegman some much-needed rotation room and will allow Ella Toone. a break.