![Spain's captain Irene Paredes lifts the Women's Nations League trophy. (AP PHOTO) Spain's captain Irene Paredes lifts the Women's Nations League trophy. (AP PHOTO)](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/69d09a1a-aa0e-427a-8ff8-c026b250a744.jpg/r0_0_800_600_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
World Cup winners Spain have added more silverware to their trophy cabinet with a 2-0 victory over France to claim the inaugural UEFA Women's Nations League title.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati opened the scoring in the 32nd minute and Mariona Caldentey netted after the break in front of a crowd of 32,657 at Seville's Estadio La Cartuja.
France improved in the second half but could not find a way through a La Roja side who were as dominant in defence as they were threatening in attack.
"Happy to win another title," player of the match Bonmati said.
"It may seem that what we have achieved is easy, that we have an obligation to win everything, but this is not something easy. And here we are lifting another trophy."
The tournament also served as a qualifier for the Paris Olympics, which begin in July, with the three remaining UEFA spots up for grabs due to France's automatic berth as hosts.
Spain booked their ticket when they reached the final with a 3-0 victory over the Netherlands, forcing the Oranje Leeuwinnen into the third-place play-off which they lost 2-0 to Germany on Wednesday for the final Games spot.
Spain saw more of the ball in a cagey first half, Salma Paralluelo first forcing French keeper Solene Durand into a routine save then setting up skipper Irene Paredes, whose nodded effort clipped the outside of the post.
Bonmati finally delivered the breakthrough following some fine work by Olga Carmona to pick out the Barcelona midfielder.
The hosts - who beat England in Sydney in the final of 2023's World Cup - put the game to bed eight minutes after the restart when Caldentey swept Ona Batlle's cross into the corner.
"They'll be the team to beat at the Olympics, it won't be easy," France coach Herve Renard said.
"We are going to have to keep improving, learn lessons and keep moving forward.
"Let's say we have taken one step but we haven't taken the second. There's still a lot of work to do."
- with AP
Australian Associated Press