2-1. Spain adjusts course against New Zealand | Sports

The Spanish women’s hockey team set the course in the Olympic tournament by defeating New Zealand 2-1 in their third match of Group B, a result that put them provisionally in fourth place, and the last to reach the quarter-finals.

With two defeats in their first two matches (3-1 against Australia and 3-0 against Argentina), confined Adrian Lock (Covid positive) needed a course correction at Oi Hockey not to aggravate their situation in the group, of which four out of six qualify for the quarter-finals.

The meeting started off well for Spain. In the sixth minute, Belen Iglesias took advantage of the commotion inside the New Zealand area to cross the ball into the net. After examining the play by video, Argentine referee Carolina de la Fuente agreed to the goal.

Lola Reira increased the difference in the 22nd minute by converting a corner kick from the penalty spot with a powerful shot. The fighting spirit was paying off for the Spanish woman, who fought for every ball.

New Zealand pressed early in the second half and found an award in the 35th minute with a goal from Olivia Meri who finished off a pass she received from the end of the half a meter away.

7 minutes before the end of the match, Maria Ruiz managed to score Megan Hall’s penalty kick, and in the 59th minute Olivia Meri threw another. The mark is no longer moving.

Spain, which won the Olympic title in Barcelona 92, has since had fourth place in Sydney 2000 as the best result.