Spain 1-0 Canada: Player ratings as Spain record first Arnold Clark Cup win
By Ali Rampling
Spain registered their first victory at the Arnold Clark Cup with a 1-0 win over Olympic gold medallists Canada at Molineux.
The result means that Jorge Vilda's side will be crowned the inaugural champions of the round robin friendly tournament if England fail to beat Germany in the day's later kickoff.
Spain took the lead just after the 20-minute mark, Alexia Putellas applying the finishing touches to a move that she started by prodding home the overlapping Leila Ouahabi's low cross.
Canada clattered the woodwork twice in the opening 45 minutes, first through Jessie Fleming's inadvertent cross-turned-shot, and then via the head of Jordan Huitema.
Spain had the very same crossbar rattling in the second period as Putellas came within a whisker of doubling her and her side's tally for the afternoon with a header from close range.
Spain dominated possession for large spells in the second half as they produced their most complete performance of the Arnold Clark Cup, while Canada threatened late on with two teasing deliveries from Ashley Lawrence. However, Bev Priestman's side could not find an equaliser and Spain ran out deserved winners.
Spain player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Lola Gallardo (GK) - 6/10 - Had one comfortable save to make in the second half, keeping hold of a tame effort from the edge of the box.
Leila Ouahabi (LB) - 7/10 - Smartly overlapped and picked out Putellas for Spain's opening goal. Replaced at the break.
Ivana Andres (CB) - 7/10 - Won plenty of second balls, working well with Leon at the back as Canada were kept at bay.
Mapi Leon (CB) - 8/10 - So comfortable in possession, bringing the ball out from the back on a number of occasions. Solid as a rock defensively.
Sheila Garcia (RB) - 7/10 - Looked dangerous when given the opportunity to maraud forward, and enjoyed a good defensive battle up against Rose.
2. Midfielders
Aitana Bonmati (CM) - 7/10 - Typically tidy in possession, keeping Spain ticking over. Replaced just before the hour mark.
Patricia Guijarro (CM) - 8/10 - Won possession inside the Canada half in the build up to Spain's opening goal. Her ability to win the ball back and kickstart attacks was a theme throughout.
Alexia Putellas (CM) - 8/10 - Opened the scoring with a tidy first-time finish, having started the move on the edge of the box. Unlocked the Canada defence with a sumptuous pass in the latter stages of the first half.
3. Forwards
Athenea Del Castillo (LW) - 7/10 - Created a promising opening for Spain early in the second half, robbing Riviere and sending a low cross into the box, from which Cardona should have done better.
Jenni Hermoso (ST) - 6/10 Dropped into a midfield role following the introduction of Gonzalez on the hour mark, where she saw more of the ball, before being replaced with 20 minutes remaining.
Marta Cardona (RW) - 7/10 - Played very high and wide when in possession. Should have done better with a good opportunity early in the second half, but couldn't get the ball out from under her feet. Replaced just before the hour.
4. Substitutes
Olga Garcia - 7/10
Esther Gonzalez - 5/10
Lucia Garcia - 5/10
Nerea Eizaguirre - 5/10
Amaiur Sarriegi - N/A
Canada player ratings
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Kailen Sheridan (GK) - 6/10 - Couldn't have done anything about Spain's goal. Solid distribution, replaced at half time.
Ashley Lawrence (LB) - 7/10 - Surrendered possession in the build up to Spain's opening goal. Provided one real piece of attacking flair in the second half with a neat flick, which was cause for an eruption of cheers from the Canada bench. Canada's biggest attacking threat.
Kadeisha Buchanan (CB) - 7/10 - Kept Hermoso quiet and did a similarly solid job on Gonzalez.
Shelina Zadorsky (CB) - 7/10 - Slotted in well next to Buchanan and helped keep both sets of Spanish centre forwards quiet.
Jayde Riviere (RB) - 4/10 - Outnumbered in the build up to the Spain goal, and lost possession to hamper a promising Spain chance opening in the second half. Replaced after 53 minutes.
6. Midfielders
Marie-Yasmine Alidou (CM) - 6/10 - Smart in possession, always looking to get on the ball and build from the back. Played a particularly good cross field pass early in the first half, but was somewhat overrun by the dynamic Spain midfield three. Replaced at half time.
Desiree Scott (CM) - 5/10 - Struggled at times defensively up against Spain's impressive midfield trio. Replaced after 53 minutes.
Jessie Fleming (CM) - 7/10 - Rattled the bar with a cross in the first half. Energetic when out of possession, so classy on the ball.
7. Forwards
Deanne Rose (LW) - 5/10 - Looked lively when on the ball, but largely left to feed off scraps, such was Spain's dominance in possession.
Jordyn Huitema (ST) - 6/10 - Clattered the bar with a first-half header. Involved a lot during the early stages, linking up play well, but faded as Canada saw less and less of the ball in the final third, before being replaced in the second half.
Janine Beckie (RW) - 6/10 - Linked up well with Fleming on a number of occasions, and provided the teasing set-piece delivery from which Huitema almost equalised in the first half. Faded in the second half as Canada were forced to play without the ball for large periods, before being replaced for the final 15.
8. Substitutes
Sabrina D'Angelo - 6/10
Gabriella Carle - 5/10
Quinn - 7/10
Julia Grosso - 5/10
Nichelle Prince - 5/10
Cloe Lacasse - 5/10