Patri Guijarro and Eva Navarro scored early, and world No. 1 Spain defeated the United States Women’s National Team 2-0 in a friendly on Saturday afternoon at Washington.
Adriana Nanclares made nine saves, including a second-half penalty stop, to hold the U.S. goalless for the second time in 2026 and hand the Americans a third defeat in 11 matches this year.
It’s the first of two friendlies in four days between the defending 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympic champions.
Spain’s only blemish came when substitute Athenea del Castillo was sent off for a hair-pulling offense early in second-half stoppage time, meaning she’ll be suspended for Tuesday’s match in Chester, Pa.
The No. 2-ranked U.S. previously lost at home to Japan in April and away to Brazil in June, but avenged both defeats with wins in a rematch days later.
Guijarro put Spain ahead in the third minute on a brilliant individual effort, taking Edna Imade’s drop pass well beyond the area and thumping a 22-yard strike inside the far left post.
U.S. goalkeeper Claudia Dickey may have reacted slightly late, but defender Tierna Davidson partly shielded her from tracking the shot off Guijarro’s foot.
Navarro doubled the lead in the 14th minute to complete an excellent Spanish attack. Salma Paralluelo took on Davidson on the left flank, cutting wide and then sending in a left-footed cross.
With the defense focused on Imade in the center of the box, Navarro reached the service at the back post and smashed a half-volley into the top right corner that left Dickey little chance.
Sophia Wilson was easily the Americans’ most dangerous attacker after going behind.
In the 27th minute, Nanclares made a sprawling save to push Wilson’s effort from the edge of the penalty area onto the crossbar, and in the 43rd minute Wilson missed narrowly wide of the right post.
The Portland Thorns striker appeared to cut the deficit in the 53rd minute but was correctly ruled offside following a replay review. And Wilson earned a penalty kick in the 67th following another replay consultation, but Nanclares saved Lily Yohannes’ effort from the spot three minutes later.
–Field Level Media
