Spain Women's World Cup winner denied landmark cap after computer glitch

01 November 2023 , 10:01

431     0

Irene Paredes missed out on her 100th cap for Spain

Spain defender Irene Paredes was prevented from winning her 100th cap because of a bizarre computer glitch.

Paredes, 32, was part of the Spanish side who lifted the Women's World Cup over the summer and was expected to feature in their Nations League clash with Swtizerland.

But the Barcelona centre back didn't feature in the 7-1 win for La Roja, due to a bizarre issue over registration. Spain manager Montse Tome revealed after the match that a computer issue had prevented her from being added to the squad.

With the Spain team unable to update their matchday squad on UEFA's official online application, they had to use the same squad as their previous fixture against Italy, which Paredes had missed out on due to a fitness problem.

"There was some kind of computer problem, I was only told about it at the hotel," Tomé said. "I had to adapt to the situation and I went with the starting 11 that you saw."

Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd

The issue meant Paredes was denied the opportunity to win her 100th cap for the national team. Only Alexia Putellas and Jenni Hermoso have previously achieved that landmark for the Spanish women's side.

It also meant Amaiur Sarriegi, who dropped out of the squad because of an injury, ended up appearing in the official player list for the Switzerland tie despite being unavailable.

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - OCTOBER 31: Athenea Del Castillo Beivide of Spain celebrates after scoring the team's sixth goal during the UEFA Women's Nations League match between Switzerland and Spain at Stadion Letzigrund on October 31, 2023 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Arnd Wiegmann/Getty Images)

Despite the issue the World Champions stormed to a 7-1 win. Putellas and Athenea del Castillo both scored twice in the win that leaves Spain five points clear at the top of their Nations League group.

Paredes also played a big role in Barcelona lifting the Champions League earlier this year, with the Spanish giants completing a treble after a 3-2 win over Wolfsburg in the final. Paredes was one of the 15 players to initially leave the national set-up in the autumn of 2022 as a result of a disagreement with the RFEF and previous manager Jorge Vilda.

But she returned to the set-up for the World Cup finals, where Spain won the trophy for the first time after beating England 1-0 in the final.

Jack Lacey-Hatton