World Cup preparations continued for a number of nations in the international break and there were 1-0 wins for Canada, USA and Denmark, while South Africa held Sweden and Chile lost to Catalonia on penalties.
The USA bounced back from their defeat by France to win a first ever meeting with Spain. A record crowd for the home side of over 9,000 watched the game in Alicante and the only goal came as Christen Press surged into the box and her shot across the keeper could only be helped into the net by Irene Paredes.
RESUMEN | La @SeFutbolFem luchó hasta el último minuto para conseguir el empate frente a @ussoccer_wnt pic.twitter.com/mzYsog9TRW
— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SeFutbolFem) January 22, 2019
There was also just a single goal in it as Canada’s Christine Sinclair struck midway through the second half in a victory over Norway in La Manga.
A third match was decided by a solitary effort, with Denmark defeating Finland in Larnaca, where Mille Gejl was on target 17 minutes from time.
Despite a 3-0 win for Sweden in their previous meeting, there were no goals at all as South Africa hosted the Swedes in Cape Town. The visitors did come closest to scoring though when Hanna Glas was denied by the crossbar.
Iceland struck twice in a three-minute spell early in the second half in a 2-1 victory over Scotland. Elin Metta Jensen netted both goals, with Lana Clelland replying in stoppage time at La Manga.
Italy were 2-0 winners over Wales in a snowy Cesena, Ilaria Mauro bagging a first-half brace.
Slovenia were 4-0 winners over Montenegro at Podgorica, Mateja Zver added a late double after goals by Špela Kolbl and Lara Prašnikar. The hosts missed a penalty when Slađana Bulatović’s strike was saved by Zala Meršnik.
Veronika Slukova’s goal 3 minutes from time earned Slovakia a 1-1 draw with Turkey in Ihca. Ece Türkoğlu had given the Turks the lead after 22 minutes.
Catalonia held Chile to a goalless draw at Estadio Municipal de Hospitalet de Llobregat and then won the shoot-out 4-2.
India won the first of a double-header in Hong Kong by five goals to two, Dangmei Grace contributing twice.
