WOMEN'S FIRST NATIONS CUP - UEFA
Picture : The penalty of Caldentey allowed Spain to win in Sweden.
UEFA WOMEN'S NATIONS CUP - NEW COMPETITION - 22/23 SEPTEMBER 2023
For the first time in history, all the 55 UEFA Women national teams played in a new competition in different leagues. It replaces international friendly games with national teams in more frequent competitive matches against other European teams of comparable level.
In League A, the reigning World champions despite all the extra-sporting events have once again confirmed their collective and footballing qualities to win in Sweden with a penalty in stoppage time scored by Caldentey (2-3). After the anthems, the Swedes, who had supported La Roja in recent days, joined the Spanish behind a banner reading “Se acabó. Our fight is the global fight.” In the same group, Italy won by a goal in Switzerland (1-0).
In Group 1, England defeated neighboring Scotland with three goals scored just before the break (2-1), all in front of 41,947 spectators. In a lower crowd, the flat country derby went to Belgium, winner of the Netherlands in stoppage time (2-1).
Germany experienced another disappointment after a failed World Cup. Denmark won 2-0 with a double from Parisian Amalie Vangsgaard. Iceland, for its part, beat Wales. Finally in the Blue group, Norway and Austria shared the points (1-1) even if the Norwegians missed a penalty at the start of the match. France beat Portugal sovereign 2-0 with a fantastic goal of Selma Bacha.
In League B, the biggest score noted was Finland's success against Slovakia (4-0) while the other matches remained tight and close.
On the other hand, it was in League C that the first goal in the history of this new competition returned, achieved by Yoana Stankova with a header at the far post against North Macedonia.
In terms of attendance, in addition to the England - Scotland match, it was also a meeting on the other side of the Channel which broke records. Ireland played its derby against Northern Ireland in front of 35,994 spectators. A historic attendance for the women's team punctuated by a great victory.