ESP vs WAL: Spain defeated Wales 5-1 in a Pool D game thanks to goals from Marc Reyna and Marc Miralles, giving them their inaugural victory in the Hockey World Cup 2023.
Reyna netted from the distance in the 16th and 38th minutes, and Miralles did the same in the 32nd and 56th. Alvaro Iglesias, the team’s captain, scored the other strike in the 22nd minute. James Carson struck the only goal for Wales in the 52nd minute. Wales suffered their 2nd consecutive defeat, whereas Spain won the contest for the 1st time.
ESP vs WAL: Both Miralles and Reyne score twice
ESP vs WAL: Spain had previously ended up losing 0-2 to competition hosts India, and Wales had suffered a 0-5 loss to England. On January 19 in Bhubaneswar, the Spanish side will play England in its last group game, and Wales would play India.
In a 5-1 success over Wales, Marc Miralles and Marc Reyne both scored twice to highlight Spain’s strong opening to this World Cup. James Carson became one of the tournament’s all-time leading scorers for Danny Newcombe’s team. Wales have lost 4 out of their last 5 games to Spain by 4 goals or higher. This match ended similarly, with Max Caldas’ team demonstrating their abilities 4 years after losing in the pool stages.
ESP vs WAL: Spain’s strong defense denies Wales to penetrate
Toby Reynolds-Cotterill’s shot save in the 5th minute hinted that Wales would have a difficult game. Spain subsequently possessed the ball in the goal. But the referee had just gone for the match’s first corner, which the self-assured Reynolds-Cotterill diverted away fiercely.
Wales was having a difficult time making forward progress as Spain stifled assaults with solid guarding. The improved circular inputs were also appreciated in Spain.
ESP vs WAL: Spain’s strong attacking play
Joaquin Menini’s passing touch across in the center was too fast for Reyne to catch. Reyne made amends shortly into the 2nd quarter by scoring into the goal post after an effortless airborne attack.
Iglesias Alvaro maneuvered his approach towards the goal prior to turning lower via a huddle of defenders as Wales retreated off in the closing. Jacob Draper’s challenge resulted in a penalty shot until Reynolds-Cotterrill watched the strike go over the post, sparing Wales from additional misery.
Mario Garin’s spectacular saves
When Miralles scored Spain‘s 4th goal from a penalty corner to begin the 3rd. There wasn’t any respite as Reynolds-Cotterill quickly punched off an even worse opportunity for Spain.
Reyne promptly scored Spain’s 4th strike, and Mario Garin successfully stopped Draper’s corner shot late in the 3rd. Luke Hawker’s final endeavor of the period was a turn and hit to finish a Welsh turnover. But it missed the goal.
James Carson scores the only goal for Wales
Wales were eventually able to accumulate flair and control. In the 4th quarter, with space in the center, Fred Newbold was unable to grasp onto a flick pass. And they got their reward 7 mins later as Carson’s shot was diverted in.
James Carson scored in the 4th quarter, making Wales a historical record by taking advantage of Pau Cunill’s rare defending blunder. Due to Cunill’s error, Carson was able to enter the area and launch a shot that needed a significant deflect off Pepe Cunill to slither inside the net. Miralles completed the score by slipping past 2 Welsh players to inside the arc and firing a shot inside the goal.
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