lying start
LONDON
Spain rebounded from the loss of star midfielder Alexia Putellas by beating Finland 4-1, as Germany also got their Euro 2022 campaign off to a flying start with a 4-0 win over Denmark on Friday.
La Roja had been pre-tournament favourites until the cruciate ligament injury to reigning female Ballon d’Or winner Putellas in training on Tuesday. However, Jorge Vilda’s side showed why they are still contenders to win a first major women’s tournament despite falling behind inside a minute to Linda Sallstrom’s strike. Goals from Irene Paredes, Aitana Bonmati, Lucia Garcia and Mariona Caldentey extended Spain’s unbeaten run stretching back to March 2020.
Walking with crutches and decked out in a Spain shirt, Putellas was in attendance to offer encouragement to her teammates. But the shock of losing their star woman rolled over into the slow start.
