WATCH: Spain overcome Jamaica in Cup of Nations opener
Spain kicked off their Cup of Nations campaign with a 3-0 victory over Jamaica at Industree Group Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Goals to Maite Oroz, Esther Gonz谩lez and Fiamma Iannuzza sealed a comfortable win for the world number seven-ranked nation on the Central Coast.
Claudia Zornoza created the first opportunity of day, taking on a long-range strike that was saved by Rebecca Spencer after 13 minutes.
The midfielder was involved again five minutes later, as her well-struck half-volley cannoned off the crossbar, allowing for Maite Oroz to tap in the opening goal from close range.
Spain almost extended their lead in the 28th minute, as Esther Gonz谩lez volleyed a strike wide, before Marta Cardona cut inside and cleared the crossbar with another effort.
Jamaica created their first clear sight on goal with a set piece late in the half that was scrambled away by the Spanish defence, before La Roja went up the other end and doubled their advantage.
Esther Gonz谩lez was the goalscorer, after finding herself in behind and slotting the ball past Spencer.
Spain thought they had been awarded a penalty 15 minutes into the second half after Eva Navarra went down in the area, but Lara Lee's decision was eventually reversed after consultation with her assistant referee.
Substitute Fiamma Benitez nearly grabbed a goal off the bench, flashing her strike across the face of goal after 70 minutes.
But she did exactly that in the 78th-minute, curling a wonderful strike into the top corner.
The goal capped off a solid performance to kick-start Spain's tournament.
Jorge Vilda's side are next in action against Australia at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, while Jamaica will take on Czechia in the afternoon's earlier kick-off.
MATCH DETAILS
Spain: 3 (Oroz 18', Gonz谩lez 45+2', Iannuzzi 78')
Jamaica: 0
Date: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 4:10pm AEDT
Broadcast: Live and Exclusive on Paramount+
Referee: Lara Lee (AUS)
Assistant Referees: Sarah Ho (AUS), Lauren Hargrave (AUS)
Fourth Official: Lauren Hargrave (AUS)
Spain Line up: 13. Salon Marcuello (Enith) (GK), 3. Abelleira Due帽as Teresa, 5. Andr茅s Sanz (Ivana) (C) (12. Pujadas Boix 60'), 8. Oroz Areta (25. Carro Nolasco 77'), 9. Gonzalez Rodriguez (Esther) (11. Redondo Ferrer 45'), 14. M茅ndez Fern谩ndez, 18. Cardona de Miguel (Marta) (15. Navarro Garcia (Eva) 45'), 20. Toma虂s Serer, 21. Zornoza Sanchez (16. Benitez Iannuzzi (Fiamma) 61'), 22. Del Castillo Beivide (Athenea) (17. Paralluelo Ayingono 45'), 24. Garcia Gomez (Sheila)
Subs not used: 1. Rodri虂guez Rivero Mari虂a Isabel (GK), 23. Lete Para (GK), 2. Herna虂ndez Zurbano Oihane, 4. Ga虂lvez Luna Roci虂o, 6. Codina Panedas, 7. Guerrero SanmartI虂n (Irene), 10. Hermoso Fuentes (Jennifer), 19. Carmona GarcI虂a (Olga)
Yellow Card: Benitez Iannuzzi (Fiamma) 67'
Red Card: N/A
Jamaica Line up: 13. Becky Spencer (GK), 4. Chantel Swaby, 5. Victoria Williams (24. Rachel Jones 45'), 8. Kayla Mckenna (18. Trudi Carter 62'), 9. Drew Spence (C) (3. Vyan Sampson 62'), 12. Chenya Matthews (11. Kameron Simmonds 62'), 14. Deneisha Blackwood, 16. Paige Bailey Gayle (15. Tiffany Cameron 74'), 17. Allyson Swaby, 19. Tiernny Wiltshire, 20. Atlanta Primus
Subs not used: 1. Sydney Schneider (GK), 23. Liya Brooks (GK), 2. Satara Murray, 6. Havana Solaun, 7. Peyton McNamara, 10. Jody Brown, 21. Kaylssa Van Zanten, 22. Solai Washington
Yellow Card: Drew Spence 60'
Red Card: N/A
