Jenni Hermoso and Aitana Bonmatí helped Spain beat the Netherlands 3-0 in the UEFA Women's Nations League semi-finals on Friday, a victory that secured the world champions a place at the Paris Olympics.
Hermoso opened the scoring with a fine solo shot in the 41st minute before Ballon d'Or holder Bonmatí doubled the lead in the 45th minute. Left-back Ona Batlle added the third in the 77th minute to complete the dominant performance of the premises.
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Spain will face France in the first Women's Nations League final at the same La Cartuja Stadium on Wednesday. France beat Germany 2-1 in Friday's other semifinal.
Qualifying for Spain's first Olympic Games is the first major success for the team since Montse Tomé took office in September following the scandal that broke out when the former president of the Spanish soccer federation Luis Rubiales kissed Hermoso without his consent at the World Cup final.
“[I and my staff] “We took charge in a difficult moment that no one wanted and we took a step forward,” said Tomé. “We are proud of the work we have done. This team deserves to play in the Olympic Games after all the previous generations who fought for it and came up short.”
Spain started strong in front of its fans in the south of Seville.
Forward Salma Paralluelo, who scored the winning goal to help Spain beat the Netherlands in last year's Women's World Cup quarterfinals, missed twice from close range before goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar saved her. on a one-on-one opportunity from the beginning.
More shots came from Olga Carmona and Irene Paredes, while Holland could only threaten with a powerful shot from Lineth Beerensteyn that was stopped by Cata Coll.
The Dutch resistance finally faltered when Hermoso used two clever foot changes to avoid three defenders and beat Van Domselaar for the first goal.
Bonmatí added a quick second strike when she raced forward to volley in a cross from Barcelona teammate Mariona Caldentey.
Holland improved after the break, but Battle caught the visitors off guard when she finished off an attack that began with her own cross.
Spanish coach Tomé gave 17-year-old Vicky López her debut in the second half.
Before the start of the match, a moment of silence was observed in memory of the victims of a deadly fire in the city of Valencia, in eastern Spain.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
