Women's Nations League final: World Cup champions Spain beat France 2-0 in Seville

Spain defeated France to win the inaugural Women's Nations League, clinching their second major trophy in six months.

Ballon d'Or winner Bonmatti broke the deadlock from close range in the 32nd minute, and Caldenti scored his first goal with a crisp touch after the break.

Hervé Renard's French team posed little threat, with zero shots on target.

A total of 32,657 people attended the Estadio La Cartuja, setting a new record for the attendance to watch the Spanish women's national team.

That's more than the 21,856 people who watched Montse Tomé's match. win against holland Friday's semi-final was also played at the same stadium.

The Netherlands will face Germany, who also lost in the semi-finals, in the third-place match starting at 7:45pm Japan time, and the winner will advance to this summer's Olympics along with Spain and France.

Spain continues to perform well

Spain had never beaten France in their previous 13 meetings, but only one looked like a winner from the first whistle.

The hosts dominated the early stages and came close with a goal from Irene Paredes, but the centre-back's header from a corner kick in the 26th minute went just wide.

Their tenacity paid off as Bonmati volleyed in Olga Carmona's low cross, which was taken by a defender to the left.

La Roja then looked set to double their lead as Laia Aleixandri and Salma Pararuelo went close on goal, but Mariona had a chance in the 53rd minute, converting Ona Batre's low ball into the bottom corner. poured into.

It would be a shame that France could not have done better in their first major final, but Spain were too strong at both ends of the pitch.

Barcelona star Bommatti told TV Espanola: “Six months ago we won the World Cup and now we won the Nations League. What more could you ask for?”

“Everything we've achieved is truly incredible. There's no ceiling for this team. The World Cup, now the Nations League, now the Olympics.”

The world's No. 1 team has controversial coach Jorge Vilda, who was sacked after former soccer federation president Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips after the World Cup. He won his first silver medal under coach Tome, who replaced him.

They have won 18 of their past 20 games and are heading into the 2024 Olympics as favorites and a force to be reckoned with.

In their World Cup and Nations League victories, Spain were the top scorers in both competitions and had the highest average possession in both competitions.