The Chinese women's football national team concluded their campaign at the Pinatar Cup in Spain with a decisive 2-0 defeat against Mexico on Tuesday night, securing the third position in the tournament.
China showcased a strong performance throughout the competition, drawing 1-1 with Canada and delivering an impressive 4-0 victory over Chinese Taipei in their earlier matches. However, their hopes were dashed when Ante Milicic's squad faced a tough challenge against the 31st-ranked Mexican team from the outset.
In the fifth minute of the final match, a miscleared cross from Mexico's defense provided forward Alice Soto with the opportunity to score a spectacular volley from the edge of the box, placing the ball neatly into the bottom corner. Just ten minutes later, captain Jacqueline Ovalle capitalized on a perfectly timed run, slicing through China's defense to finish with precision and extend Mexico's lead.
Before halftime, China had a promising chance to reduce the deficit when Zhang Xin delivered a well-weighted through ball to Jin Kun. Unfortunately, Jin Kun's one-on-one shot narrowly missed the target, leaving the score unchanged at the break.
In the second half, coach Milicic introduced a series of substitutions, bringing on Li Mengwen, Zhi Jie, Tang Jiali, and Huo Yuexin to inject fresh energy into the attack. The Chinese side began to dominate possession and applied increased pressure on Mexico. Despite these efforts, China struggled with key passes and finishing, ultimately failing to convert their chances into goals.
With one win, one draw, and one loss, China secured third place at the Pinatar Cup. Canada emerged as the tournament champions, while Mexico claimed second place. Chinese Taipei concluded the standings in fourth place, rounding out a competitive and spirited event.
Reference(s):
China fall to Mexico in Pinatar Cup finale, finish third at tournament
cgtn.com
