FIFA Women’s World Cup: The best player in the world puts Spain back on track

FIFA Women’s World Cup, quarterfinal: Netherlands v Spain Where: Wellington Regional Stadium When: Friday, 1pm Coverage: Live on Sky Sport 1, live updates on Stuff

Rumours of Spain’s FIFA Women’s World Cup demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Five days after being torched 4-0 by group C winners Japan, Spain silenced their doubters with an equally comprehensive 5-1 win over Switzerland in the round of 16 to secure their place in the quarterfinals.

It was the perfect response after being totally out-coached by Japan’s Futoshi Ikeda in the previous game.

Switzerland didn’t concede a goal during the group stage, but their defence was ruthlessly picked apart by Spain’s brilliant tiki-taka football.

Spain kept 70% of possession but made their dominance count by attacking with more assertiveness, piling on 26 shots to Switzerland’s two.

“That’s football. There are good days and not so good days,” star midfielder Aitana Bonmati said.

“We are not used to losing and when you lose the same as the other day it’s a hard thing to swallow, but we have won a knockout match at a World Cup and we are into the quarterfinals, and we have also made history.

“The team is now very happy. We should be very proud of the work we did today. It was not easy after what happened the other day.”

Spain will now return to Wellington – the scene of their only defeat – to play the Netherlands in an all European affair on Friday afternoon.

Despite their stumble against Japan, the world No 6 should be the favourites to win.

Spain have never made it this far at a Women’s World Cup, but they have the quality to go all the way.

In fact, Bonmati might just be the standout player at the tournament and with her pulling the strings in midfield, anything is possible.

The Barcelona playmaker showed just why many are tipping her to win this year’s Ballon d’Or with a dazzling display against Switzerland.

Bonmati scored two of Spain’s five goals, both in eerily similar circumstances.

She shifted the ball from one foot to another, moving her away from her defender and giving her room to shoot.

Bonmati scored another like that against Costa Rica in their first match.

“It’s my character to act like a leader even though I don’t have the captain’s armband,” she said.

“I like to transmit my character to the rest of the team. When I have the ball at my feet, when things go badly, I always try to help my teammates. Whether your captain or not is not the point.”

The quarterfinal against the Netherlands could be decided by the two No 6s.

Netherlands midfielder Jill Roord has scored four goals for her country at this year’s World Cup, including the opening goal in their 2-0 win over South Africa.

Bonmati and Roord went toe-to-toe in the Champions League final just two months ago, but it was Bonmati who won out on that occasion.

Spain coach Jorge Vilda has been consistently asked throughout the World Cup if Bonmati is the best player in the world right now, but he has been reluctant to hype her up.

“Spain have the 23 best players in the world in my opinion,” he declared after the Switzerland victory.

Vilda swung the axe after the defeat to Japan, making five changes to his starting XI.

The most notable changes saw two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas drop to the bench along with first-choice goalkeeper Misa Rodriquez.

For the most part, the changes worked.

Defender Laia Codina had a moment to forget, scoring an own goal from near the halfway line after hitting the ball back to her goalkeeper with force, but she made up for the gaffe by scoring at the other end.

“Anyone can make a mistake but then she scored a goal for us – so let’s say she fixed it,” Bonmati said.

“She played a great game, she was very sure of herself and scored a goal, and not everyone is capable of this in a game as important as this, especially when she scored an own goal before.

“I love her character and the way she competes.”