An understrength Spain women’s team beat the United States 2-0 in a friendly in Pamplona on Tuesday night.
Laia Codina put the hosts up before the break and Esther Gonzalez doubled the lead in the second half with a stunning volley to give Spain an unlikely win over the the U.S.
It was the first time the USWNT had allowing multiple goals in consecutive games since Feb. 27 and March 2 of 2019, in matches against Japan and England, respectively, following a 2-1 loss to the Lionessess for Vlatko Andonovski’s side on Friday.
“It’s really disappointing, there’s no question about it,” Andonovski said. “We have a winning mentality and when we don’t win, it hurts. It hurt all off us. It is a tough moment for us as a team.”
Spain was without many of its top players, who are embroiled in a battle with the country’s federation over who should be coaching the team. At least 15 players refused call-ups for a pair of friendlies in this international window as a show of protest amid the team’s desire to see the women’s game in Spain professionalized.
The move was seen by the Spanish federation as an effort to force the resignation of coach Jorge Vilda, but the team’s players denied that was the case.