In their 5-1 victory over Switzerland at Women’s World Cup, Spain introduces new goalkeeper, benches Alexia Putellas

Spain triumphed over Switzerland with a 5-1 scoreline in the Women’s World Cup, marking their first time advancing to the quarterfinals. In a surprising lineup, star midfielder Alexia Putellas started from the bench, and goalkeeper Cata Coll made her full international debut in the Saturday match.

Coll, the only player in Spain’s squad without any previous caps, was an unexpected replacement for Misa Rodriguez, following Spain’s group-stage loss to Japan where they conceded four goals.

In response to the previous defeat, Spain’s coach Jorge Vilda made five alterations to the starting eleven for the knockout stage match. This involved Laia Codina, the center back, earning her first start in the tournament. Despite an own goal early on, Codina managed to score just before the break, extending Spain’s lead to 4-1.

Alexia Putellas, two-time Ballon d’Or winner, who’s in recovery from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee that led to a 10-month hiatus, was judiciously played by the Spain coaching staff over the past month.

With the match outcome already assured, she was substituted in the 77th minute against Switzerland.

___ For more AP World Cup coverage, visit: https://bigbignews.net/fifa-womens-world-cup

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