Spain face South Korea in final home game of 2024
Spain take on South Korea in a friendly in Cartagena on Friday night
Another women’s international break is upon us and whilst many sides are still competing in the play-offs to reach Euro 2025, Spain play another two friendlies to round off the year.
The reigning World Cup and Nations League champions welcome South Korea to Cartagena on Friday before travelling to Nice to take on France in their final game of 2024.
Spain have only met South Korea once before in 2015, a game they will want to avenge.
Soo-yun Kim scored the winner to South Korea come from behind to win 2-1 in Ontario, as Spain were knocked out of the Women's World Cup at the group stage.
Veronica Boquete had opened the scoring in the first half before captain So-hyun Cho headed home an equaliser soon after the restart, with Kim winning the game for South Korea ten minutes from time.
South Korea have since reached the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, but were knocked out at the group stages in both competitions.
As they failed to qualify for the Olympics it has been a year of friendlies for South Korea.
They have beaten Czech Republic and the Philippines twice but have lost to Portugal, Japan and the USA twice.
They take on Canada after their game with Spain in the Pinatar Arena on Tuesday.
Spain had two 1-1 draws in their October friendlies at home to Canada and away to Italy.
They required an 89th minute equaliser from the returning Cristina Martin-Prieto, who headed home from Ona Batlle’s cross to cancel out Marie-Yasmine Alidou’s opener.
A much changed side in Vicenza scored late again through Alba Redondo on 86 minutes, but Chiara Beccari struck two minutes later for Italy.
Some notable names are once again missing from Montse Tome’s 23 player squad with the likes of Irene Paredes and Jennifer Hermoso left out.
Tome said the two are absent as she looks to “build team spirit” with Hermoso, the country’s all-time leading goal scorer reported to be unhappy with her reduced playing time this year.
"We've been in an exceptional situation for two years now, and when we started we were very clear about what we wanted to be as a team," Tome said.
"I don't want to say that these players weren't up to the job, but I'm clear about what I want the team to be and what I like to see, this team spirit, this know-how."
It remains to be seen if there is a way back for Hermoso and Paredes, the second and third most capped Spanish women’s players.
Alexia Putellas and Redondo have also pulled out of the squad with Atletico Madrid’s Fiamma Benitez called up for the first time since 2023.
Players such as Claudia Pina (Barcelona), Berta Pujades (Valencia), Maite Zubieta (Athletic Club), and Macarena Portales (Levante) have also received call-ups as Tome continues to assess her options ahead of a big 2025.
Pina is the latest of Las 15 to be brought back from international exile by Tome and she may be another good forward option.
Pujadas is back for the first time this year whilst it is a first senior call up for both midfielder Zubieta and forward Portales.
Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati also returns after being rested during the last international break and with so much experience missing she will be tasked with being one of the team’s leaders.
Spain will want to end what has been a good year on a high and plenty of players will want to give Tome food for thought in the next two games ahead of what is set to be an exciting 2025.