Spain struck twice inside the opening 14 minutes and held on for a 2-0 win over the United States on Saturday at Audi Field in Washington DC, exposing the defensive and midfield problems that Emma Hayes’ side could not repair in time.
Patri Guijarro put the reigning world champions ahead in the third minute with a 20-yard strike, punishing the US for failing to reorganise after a turnover and leaving the Barcelona midfielder with far too much room. Eleven minutes later the lead was doubled through another breakdown: Salma Paralluelo isolated Tierna Davidson on the left and crossed for a wide-open Eva Navarro, who finished first time on the run. All 11 US players huddled above the box for several minutes afterwards.
It was only the fifth meeting between the two nations, and the first since 11 October 2022 — before Spain broke through to win the 2023 World Cup. It was also the first time the US had trailed by two goals under Hayes, and the first time they had ever faced Fifa’s top-ranked team on home soil. Spain have held the No 1 ranking for the past 60 weeks and arrive as defending champions; the US are second and won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The occasion carried significant caveats. Both squads are missing key players to injury. Naomi Girma and Sam Coffey, the two figures most central to the US defensive spine, are out, while Spain are without two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, Vicky Lopez, Mariona Caldentey and goalkeeper Cata Coll. Striker Clàudia Pina and centre-back Mapi León withdrew from camp on Friday. With the opening match of next year’s World Cup in Brazil still 258 days away, Spain have already qualified while the US must come through a regional tournament starting next month.
The US connections looked off for much of the first half, from giveaways to overhit clearances. Rose Lavelle tried to lay off a forward pass with Sophia Wilson and Alyssa Thompson on the break, but both mistimed their runs and the ball rolled out of bounds to a groan from the crowd. Wilson’s best efforts of the half hit the post and rolled wide. The balance issues in midfield — Lavelle, Lily Yohannes and Lindsey Heaps for the first 65 minutes — that predate the Hayes era were visible again.
The Americans were improved and more collected after the interval once they adjusted their high press, and Spain did not register a shot on target in the second half. Wilson thought she had pulled one back in the 53rd minute, but the goal was waved off for offside after video review. Five minutes later Trinity Rodman’s attempted tap-in from a Thompson cross was saved.
The US won a penalty in the 67th minute when Wilson drew a foul from Natalia Ramos inside the box, but the choice of taker raised eyebrows: Yohannes, the 17-year-old who has never taken a penalty in four seasons at Ajax and OL Lyonnes. Wilson, a regular taker for the Portland Thorns, is 11 for 11 from the spot in the NWSL. Nanclares saved Yohannes’ stutter-step attempt and the US stayed off the board.
Among the second-half substitutes were forward Mallory Swanson and midfielder Ashley Sanchez, both returning after long absences. Swanson made her first appearance in 710 days after time away following the birth of her child, while Sanchez was recalled amid a strong NWSL season with the North Carolina Courage and played for the US for the first time since October 2023. She nearly scored from a cross in the 88th minute but slid as her foot connected with the ball.
Spain finished the match with 10 players after Athenea de Castillo was shown a red card in stoppage time for a hair pull.
Hayes said before this window that development and improvement mattered more than wins and losses, and she and her staff will judge where this performance sits on that scale. The rematch on Tuesday in Chester, Pennsylvania offers the US an immediate chance to respond.