Spain’s Women Can Snatch The Euros Without Golden Asset Alexia Putellas

It was raining headers northwest of London, England, as Spain’s women overturned an instant deficit to breeze past Finland in its opening European Championship match. On that evidence, it could be heading for a maiden major trophy later this July. And without its prized player, too—Barcelona’s injured captain Alexia Putellas.

As those selected proved, this is a unit able to win matches by different means. Against the Scandinavians, Spain had the character to respond to a setback and grab plenty of goals. Having four scorers also marks class and versatility in all positions.

Technically speaking, Ballon d’Or winner Putellas is the best women’s soccer player in the world, so her absence is a knock for Spain. But going by the momentum in the camp, this is not a killer blow. As all great teams demonstrate, squads win competitions, not individuals alone. For all the excitement surrounding the number one star, the national side’s setup does not center around one force, which was noticeable as La Roja kicked off in an assured fashion.

The nature of the goals—bullet headers, team moves and pinpoint a pinpoint—means Spain has different strings to its bow. Even without Putellas, whose rise to stardom has underpinned much of the nation’s growing status in the sport, it is closing in on silverware. If it’s not this year, it will be challenging for the top prize at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next summer. Longer-term, the signs look good as well, with the upcoming generation today crowned continental champion at the U19 level after beating Norway’s brightest sparks (Spanish) in the final in the Czech Republic.

For the seniors, Putellas, the woman who still adorns tournament advertising billboards despite her absence, is undoubtedly the leading light. The attack-minded midfielder has been at Barcelona for a decade, meaning she is not one of the sport’s most expensive transfers, a field currently led by Chelsea player Pernille Harder. Were she to move, however, she could well break that ceiling in a fast-growing market, albeit incomparable to the fees regularly cited in the men’s game.

Any figures lacking there matter little, though. One of its own, Putellas has become a star for Barcelona, and her popularity rivals virtually any Blaugrana star there, at a time when icon Lionel Messi is history. Her name is a regular fixture on the back of Barcelona shirts, and her fame has led to sponsorship ties with Nike and Visa.

As impressive as this may be, Spanish on-field success does not necessarily hinge on her availability. In the Champions League final at the club standard, Putellas and Barcelona ran into Lyon, a more cohesive unit that triumphed despite not being the odds-on favorite. Putellas may be the most potent threat for opponents, but Spain—like Barcelona—will win the Euros if the starting eleven and the bench are good enough.

Much of Putellas’ success is born out of Barcelona, and, fortunately for Spain, that will be a deciding factor. Barcelona, considered by many to be the best women’s side around despite winning just one Champions League, is the most represented club in the national squad, and for a reason. The question is whether they can translate their promise to victory in the U.K.

Spain’s record at major tournaments is nothing special. It does have continuity, though, with coach Jorge Vilda one of the longest-serving managers in the competition. His methods have not yielded honors yet, but the team plays with a clear identity, good enough to compete against the best countries, which mainly hail from northern Europe.

There is wind in Spain’s sails. “It’s now time to win against Germany,” said penalty converter Mariona Caldentey (Spanish) following the result against Finland, and there is a fighting chance. It will be a step-up, as Germany’s 4-0 ruthless dismantling of Denmark showed, but a challenge to approach confidently.

Given the option, Spain would have loved to unleash Putellas’ skills against its next challengers. Regardless, the momentum is there, and the silky star’s absence may alleviate some pressure in a tournament that many teams, including Spain, can win.