Canada falls to Spain at Arnold Clark Cup

WOLVERHAMPTON, United Kingdom — A goal by star midfielder Alexia Putellas lifted Spain to a 1-0 win over Canada on Wednesday in the finale for both teams at the Arnold Clark Cup.

Ninth-ranked Spain came as advertised, classy and confident, aggressive on defence and comfortable on the ball in attack.

Putellas, winner of the Ballon d'Or, Best FIFA Women's Player and UEFA Player of the Year, pulled the strings for Spain as it extended its unbeaten streak to 19 games (17-0-2) since a 1-0 loss to the U.S. at the SheBelieves Cup in March 2020.

The 28-year-old Barcelona star almost scored a second in the 63rd minute, but her header off a corner hit the woodwork.

A win and sixth-ranked Canada (1-1-1) would have won the tournament after tying No. 8 England 1-1 and defeating No. 3 Germany 1-0 in earlier play. Spain (1-0-2) tied Germany 1-1 and England 0-0.

England (0-0-2) played Germany (0-1-1) in the later game needing a win to have a chance of catching Spain for the tournament title.

While Spain had more possession early on, Olympic champion Canada seemed up to the task and created several chances of its own at a largely empty Molineux Stadium.

But Spain went ahead in the 21st minute after Patri Guijarro stole the ball off Canadian fullback Ashley Lawrence in midfield. Five passes later it was in the back of the net with a low shot from an unmarked Putellas, who made a stealthy run into the middle of the penalty box and beat Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.

The game grew scrappier in the second half as substitutions were made. Canada came on late but was unable to break through, with two Canadian attackers unable to get to a dangerous Lawrence cross that flashed through the Spanish penalty box in the dying seconds.

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