Epic Comeback by Spain in the Last Three Minutes

Spain staged an epic comeback in the last three minutes of their match against Belgium at the Ciutat de València. The world and Nations League champion once again relied on pride and faith to turn around a match that seemed lost in the 92nd minute. Lucía García and Cristina Martín Prieto scored the last two goals for the Spanish team, but it was Salma Paralluelo who truly revitalised the team, providing the assist for the equaliser and playing a key role in Spain's 'in extremis' victory.

The team led by Montse Tomé was trailing 0-2 but narrowed the gap thanks to a solo effort by Claudia Pina. In added time, fortune, which had eluded them for an hour and a half, finally smiled upon them. With Spain pushing for victory, Lucía García and Cristina Martín-Prieto secured a heroic win to start their Nations League title defence on a high note.

After defeating Belgium 0-7 in Leuven and 2-0 in Riazor last year during the Euro qualifying phase, the world champion achieved a victory of double significance at the Ciutat de València, both in sporting terms and, more importantly, in morale. In just three minutes, Spain once again turned around a match that had quickly become challenging, capitalising on a significant error by Irene Paredes.

Until that final stretch of madness, Montse Tomé's team lacked patience and, above all, precision in finishing, while the Belgian goalkeeper's interventions were crucial in preventing a goal until the 77th minute. Spain also hit the crossbar twice, around the half-hour mark and in the 62nd minute, during one of the many corners taken by Tere Abelleira. In their Nations League debut, the team always dominated and persistently sought a goal, but had to wait until the last play after being hit by counterattacks from an opponent that was overwhelmed by the local pressure.

Shortly after the first quarter of an hour, the team paid for a mistake by their captain, Irene Paredes. Amidst the noise from the 'Rubiales case' verdict, the Barça defender, returning to the national team after the Olympics, made an unfortunate clearance that gave Belgium the lead. The Basque centre-back was also outplayed in the 0-2 by Wullaert, who won the individual duel against Irene Paredes.

The match, in which Spain had no luck until the decisive phase, was also marked by a serious knee injury suffered in the 33rd minute by young Saar Janssen, who left the field in tears on a stretcher after landing awkwardly while contesting a ball. Elisabet Gunnarsdottir's debut on the Belgian bench was further marred in a match where Spain grew increasingly frustrated against a defensive opponent focused solely on defending and counterattacking. They succeeded twice, but with Spain pushing forward after being stuck, lacking decisiveness, and showing defensive weaknesses when tested by Belgium, the visiting team could not hold on.

The title defender, without Alexia Putellas or Jenni Hermoso, reduced the deficit thanks to an individual effort by Claudia Pina, who decided to take matters into her own hands after the team's offensive struggles. Then it was Salma's turn to lead the team and highlight two substitutes who seemed unlikely to make an impact but proved decisive. With morale high, Spain will face England at Wembley and then Portugal, but the statement made on the first day was significant.