Spain Defeat USA 2-0 in Women’s World Cup Warm-Up Friendly
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Spain’s women’s national football team secured a 2-0 victory over the United States in an international friendly on Saturday, with early goals from Patri Guijarro and Eva Navarro giving the reigning World Cup champions a strong return to action ahead of next year’s tournament.
The Spanish side made an immediate impact, taking the lead in the third minute when Guijarro unleashed a powerful long-range strike that beat US goalkeeper Claudia Dickey.
Spain doubled their advantage in the 14th minute. Salma Paralluelo delivered a cross into the penalty area, where Navarro found space and fired the ball into the top-right corner to put her team firmly in control.
The United States attempted to respond after the break and created several opportunities, but Spain’s defence held firm. An effort from Sophia Wilson was ruled out for offside, denying the Americans a potential route back into the contest.
The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 67th minute following a video assistant referee review after Wilson was brought down inside the box. Nineteen-year-old midfielder Lily Yohannes stepped up to take the spot kick, but Spanish goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares dived to her left and saved the effort.
Spain’s night ended with a disciplinary setback when Real Madrid forward Athenea del Castillo was sent off in the 90th minute for pulling the hair of Michelle Cooper. Del Castillo had only recently entered the match as a substitute.
The victory was Spain’s first outing since they qualified for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil with a convincing 6-1 win over Iceland in June.
For the United States, the defeat marked their third loss in 11 matches in 2026 and the second time this year they had been held scoreless. They previously lost to Japan at home in April and Brazil in June, before winning their respective rematches against both teams.
The result gives Spain a confidence boost as preparations for the next Women’s World Cup continue. However, the two teams will have little time to wait for another meeting, with the United States set to face Spain again on Tuesday at Subaru Park, the home stadium of Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union.
The upcoming fixture will give the Americans an opportunity to respond, while Spain will look to build on their disciplined defensive display and clinical finishing.
