Spain 4-1-2-3 (Panos – Marta, Paredes, Leon, Corredera – Virginia – Alexia, Losada – Sampedro, Hermoso, Caldentey)

South Africa 4-5-1 (Dlamini – Ramalepe, Van Wyk, Matlou, Vilakazi – Mthandi, Mothlalo, Biyana, Jane, Kgatlana – Fulutudilu)

Going into this World Cup, the major fear around Spain was their ability to turn possession into goals. That fear remained after their 3-1 win here, as they failed to convince against South Africa.

Up against an opponent that defended in a 4-5-1 shape with man-marking in central midfield, Spain’s centre-backs had comfortable possession and a numerical advantage against Fulutudilu. This allowed one of them to get time and space on the ball and drive forward, though they were often unable to provoke South African defenders out of position and create free players further up the pitch. And, even when Spain did work these situations, the centre-backs didn’t release the ball quickly enough.

At times, Spain’s wingers would come inside. And, when Caldentey or Sampedro performed this movement, a number of possibilities opened up. Firstly, their direct opponent full-backs would follow them inside, creating space down the outside for the full-backs to push into and receive. Secondly, they could get in behind South Africa’s man-marking in midfield, offering the centre-backs a more progressive passing option. However, none of these potential options were utilised. Too often, Sampedro was ignored having taken up a good position.

Hermoso also dropped off the front line and looked to overload the central midfield area. South Africa’s centre-back pairing stayed in position rather than tracking her movements, so she was able to act as the free player at times. And, as their centre-backs became quicker in releasing the ball and stopped dribbling aimlessly forward into an already congested area, Spain started to come to life offensively. However, there was always the threat going the other way, as South Africa counter-attacked instantly, focusing on the pace of Kgatlana down the left in the space vacated by Spain’s advanced right-back.

Spain improved slightly in the second half and eventually got two penalties and another late goal against a 10-woman South African side that lost Vilakazi to a red card. But the Spanish were indecisive in their build-up, lacking imagination and penetration in the final third, and were far too open to Kgatlana’s raiding dribbles in defensive transition.