On a quiet, cloudy Thursday night in Nantes, France, the Spanish national women’s football team made history once again. In an inaugural Olympics appearance, the infamous bright red and yellow challenged a well-structured and disciplined Japan team to a duel on grass. Seemingly starting off with tenacity and thrill on both sides, women’s football at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games had commenced. Spain’s maiden appearance in the Olympics was destined to fare well, as the reigning FIFA World Cup Champions seek to maintain global dominance of both the men’s and women’s game. Although Japan have proved time after time to stand up to the best, demanding order and a special technique of teamwork. When the whistle blew, a new hope for gold grew. Spain’s initial eleven included a dominion of FC Barcelona presence, with the likes of Cata Coll, Irene Paredes, Ona Batlle, Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Mariona Caldentey (former Culer), and Salma Paralluelo. What could go wrong? Spoken too soon. One can prepare ninety-nine times and still fail on the one-hundredth. Of course it would happen as most things in life do, Spain slipped on the wrong foot at the wrong time. A 13th minute free kick from Japan’s Aoba Fujino was gloriously arched just right under the crossbar and just right over the reaching hand of goalkeeper Cata Coll. Not even the most fervent Spanish fan could deny the beauty of that goal with the delicious curve of the ball in the air. A well deserved start for Japan, as Spain’s formation started shaking. But not for long.
This is where consistency comes in. Spain, or for that matter every team in the tournament knows the consequence of losing a group match, which is not wished for or upon. Only the winner and runner-up of each group advances to the knockout stages, with everything to prove and everything to lose. After managing to maintain more possession of the ball, “La Roja” started pushing the momentum against Japan’s goalkeeper. By cleverly breaking down Japan’s defenses with passing triangles, it did not take long for Ballon D’or winner and Barcelona’s beloved Aitana Bonmatí to break free for one moment and take one shot. Goal. 1-1. Tied in the 22nd minute. It only took Spain less than 10 minutes to get their rhythm and flow back. Also in life, redemption and the opportunity to start again.
After halftime, the players took the pitch for another forty-five minutes looking to score just one more. Japan, despite not displaying much strength in physical size and stature, defended exceptionally and almost caught Spain in their own spiderweb on counter attacks. But the winner takes it all, and Barcelona’s ex Mariona Caldentey secured a small pocket of space to wind up her leg and seized the day in the 74th minute to put her team on top. Holding on for the final whistle required prowess, and patiently Spain shut out the bold Japanese white and red ever since having been humiliatingly defeated 4-0 in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. And scene, breath of relief. Scary start and fantastic finish. Although it is hard to cover all twelve participating women’s football teams competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics since they usually play at the same time, schedules and game times are regularly displayed on search engines and social media. Spain’s next challenge comes in the form of Nigeria on Sunday, July 28th. Until then, we will be supporting all Culers regardless of kit color or country. Força Barça!
