Spain stun Belgium with remarkable comeback win
Spain won the inaugural Women's Nations League last year
- Published
Spain scored twice in added time to complete a stunning comeback win in their Women's Nations League opener against Belgium in Valencia.
The competition's reigning champions fell 2-0 down thanks to goals from Mariam Toloba and Tessa Wullaert for the visitors but scored three times in 19 minutes to secure a dramatic win.
Barcelona striker Claudia Pina pulled a goal back in the 77th minute with a curling strike into the bottom corner before Monterrey forward Lucia Garcia bundled home the equaliser in the second minute of added time.
That set up a grandstand finish that saw Benfica's Cristina Martin-Prieto convert at the back post after a scramble in the penalty area.
The match took place a day after former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales was convicted of sexual assault by Spain's High Court for kissing Spain player Jenni Hermoso without consent after the 2023 Women's World Cup final.
Earlier on Friday the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed Rubiales' appeal against the three-year suspension from all footballing activities imposed on him by Fifa in October 2023.
Spain manager Montse Tome did not include Hermoso in her squad for this international break.
Spain's next game is against England - who drew 1-1 with Portugal in Portimao on Friday - at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.