Celia Helps Spain Qualify for First World Cup Knockout Game
Reign FC defender Celia Jimenez Delgado subbed on for Spain, helping La Roja secure a 0-0 draw against China to secure a second-place finish in Group B at the Women’s World Cup Monday. Spain advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time in its history and will face the winners of Group F — either the United States or Sweden — on Monday, June 24 at 9:00 a.m. PT.
“I don’t have words, honestly,” Jimenez Delgado told The Athletic’s Meg Linehan. “This game was a little rough. We tried for 90 minutes and we wanted to win badly, but at the end of the day we got a great result. We qualified for the next round, which was our objective since we came to France. It’s a historical moment. It’s never happened before, and I’m honored and super happy to be part of that team.”
The appearance was Jimenez Delgado’s fourth at a World Cup. The 23-year-old started all three of Spain’s matches at the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
Spain dominated the Steel Roses, outshooting China 24-1, including a 9-0 advantage in shots on target.
Jimenez Delgado was brought on by manager Jorge Vilda in the 86th minute, using her frame to try and screen Chinese keeper Peng Shimeng as Spain pushed for a late game-winner.
Spain will learn its next opponent when the United States faces Sweden on Thursday, June 20 at 12:00 p.m. PT.