Canada falls 1-0 to Spain in Arnold Clark closer

Canada’s Arnold Clark Cup tournament came to an end on Wednesday, falling 1-0 to Spain at Molineux Stadium on a goal from Alexia Putellas.

After a start to the match where both sides were trading chances, Spain took the lead in the 21st minute on an impressive team goal. After Patri Guijarro picked off Ashley Lawrence in midfield, she started a counter attack that worked quickly to get in the Canadian penalty area, and eventually the back of the net. Guijarro found Alexia Putellas, who played the ball out wide to Athenea del Castillo. Del Castillo found an overlapping Leila Ouahabi, whose low cross found Putellas, and the Barcelona star lunged to finish off the move with a first touch finish into the bottom corner of the goal.

HIGHLIGHTS: #CANWNT 0-1 Spain @ArnoldClarkCup pic.twitter.com/C8R30gbBk7

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) February 23, 2022

Jordyn Huitema came close to equalising for Canada a few minutes later, heading the ball toward goal after a cross was fired into the box. Spanish goalkeeper Lola Gallardo made an impressive save to push the ball onto the crossbar, keeping her clean sheet intact. A Janine Beckie free kick earlier in the half was the only other time that Gallardo was tested in the opening 45 minutes.

After the break, Canada came out firing to try and find a goal, but again struggled to get chances on goal. Spain nearly doubled their lead just after the hour mark, with Putellas involved again. Left open at the back post, she was in the right place at the right time when a teammate headed the ball toward her, and she redirected the ball toward the net, but it struck the same part of the crossbar that Huitema did.

With the win, Spain move to the top of the standings at the Arnold Clark Cup, ending Canada’s chances at winning the tournament. Whether or not Spain hang on to top spot depends on the result of England vs Germany later in the afternoon.