A draw against Japan is enough for Spain this Monday (09:30. The 1) to be first in the group, once they have already qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup. Jorge Vilda's team will include Alexia Putellas in its starting eleven. The player was a doubt for this competition until the last moment. But, the doubts were cleared up by the coach when he made the prelist public.. He needed filming, since he had only played six games with Barcelona and two friendlies before the World Cup. For the debut in the tournament he was still not 100%. Even so, the coach showed his confidence and gave him the last 15 minutes.
Few, but more than enough to see that the current Ballon d'Or was back. It was also noticed by the fans. I wanted to see her. As soon as she warmed up on the sidelines, those present in the stadium did not stop cheering her on, and when she entered the field she received a tremendous ovation.
Starter in the second game
Against Zambia he no longer started from the bench. He played the first 45 minutes, which were more than enough for him to participate in two of the goals for the Spanish team. In the first, it was she who originated it and managed to combine with Jenni Hermoso, and she with Tere Abelleira, to open the scoring. In the second goal, it was Putellas who gave the last pass to his former Barça teammate, Hermoso, so that she increased the distance on the scoreboard. The magic is still in his boots. In fact, Vilda himself acknowledged after the game that the player “has left a good feeling, she has improved the team. It's been 45 quality minutes.”
With this performance, everything indicates that he will start again against Japan. Spain needs her, and she is showing that she can give her best version. It is not usual to see her talk a lot, she does it with the ball but it is her own teammates who verbally vindicate her quality. “Everyone when Alexia plays is happy, she gives us everything that a Ballon d'Or can give you on the pitch”, said Olga Carmona. “Playing with her is incredible, I'm very happy that after the year that has passed she can be here,” said Tere Abelleira.
Brilliant off the field
The best player on the planet does not only shine on the pitch, she also shines outside with a gesture that has gone around the world. After finishing the match against Zambia, in which the Spanish team won 5-0, the Catalan came up to shake hands with the rivals, who were tremendously dejected as the result left them out of the tournament.
A gesture of absolute sportsmanship that did not stop there. Putellas did not hesitate to hug the African women and offer them their comfort. No one better than her knows what it's like to have to say goodbye to a World Cup so soon. In 2015 Spain was eliminated in the group stage and in 2019 in the round of 16. Something that Putellas, like the whole team, hopes will not happen this time.