2022 Women's FIH Hockey World Cup: First-half firepower gives Spain an opening win

The Spanish women's hockey squad clinched the first three points of the Women's FIH Hockey World Cup after emerging victorious against Canada 4-1 in the opening match at Estadi Olímpic de Terrassa in Barcelona, Spain.

Within the regulation time, Iglesias Belen in the 4th minute, Gine Xantal in the 20th minute, Lopez Maria in the 25th minute and Garcia Begoña in the 28th minute were the goalscorers for Spain. In contrast, Johansen Karli, in the 56th minute, was the lone goal scorer for Canada.

The host nation Spain started the Pool C match aggressively. It opened the scoring five minutes into the first quarter when Belen Iglesias slotted the ball into the net past the Canadian goalkeeper Rowan Harris on a rebound from the penalty corner.

Spain doubled their lead in the second quarter with a shot into the corner of the Canadian goal from Gine Xantal in the 20th minute. Canada immediately launched a counterattack as Hannah Haughn broke through the Spanish defensive line. However, she faltered on the final touch and failed to trouble the Spanish goalkeeper Melanie Garcia. Spain further widened their lead in the 25th minute with an excellent penalty corner flick from the Spanish captain Lopez Maria to make it 3-0. 

The Spanish side did not stop here and continued the goal-fest as Garcia Begona evaded the Spanish defenders to slot the ball into the net after receiving a well-placed pass inside the circle from Georgina Oliva. The first half ended with a 4-0 lead for the home side.

Canada returned with renewed vigour and energy in the second half as the dominance of the Spanish squad faded away. Spain launched back-to-back attacks, but Melanie Garcia made several impressive saves to deny the Canadian team their maiden goal. The visitors finally got a breakthrough in the 56th minute as Johansen Karli slipped the ball through the legs of Jana Martinez to score a consolation goal for Canada.

In a post-match interview, Player of the Match Georgina Oliva said, "We knew the first match was vital because we can be nervous, particularly in front of a home crowd. Now we must stick to our plan and play the game by half, and then other results will come.