Evening at Son Moix: Spain sweeps England 4-0 out of the stadium – four Mallorcan women in the mix

Evening at Son Moix: Spain sweeps England 4-0 out of the stadium – four Mallorcan women in the mix

A mild early-summer evening, loud chants and a clear victory

On 6 June the Son Moix stadium in Palma filled up like in the old days, as in Season Opener at Son Moix: Packed House, Festive Atmosphere. More than 17,500 people had gathered, many wearing red jerseys, some children with slogans you might expect to see on Passeig Mallorca. The soundscape was a mix of drums, whistles and the typical buzz of people chasing a tapa after a game. On the pitch Spain played that evening with speed, precision and so much confidence that England ultimately ended up on the wrong side of a 0–4 scoreline.

The result reads clearly: Patri Guijarro scored once, Alexia Putellas found the net twice and Claudia Pina put the final touch. Especially nice for the island to see: four players with Mallorcan connections took to the field – Patri Guijarro, Mariona Caldentey, Cata Coll and Lucía Corrales. That several locally familiar faces were part of the squad brought a little pride to many spectators.

On the streets around the stadium we observed small scenes that belong to an evening like this: a group of female students celebrating the goals outside a kiosk, an elderly couple slowly strolling along the Ramblas, and stalls selling scarves that were clearly destined for people's memory cupboards. Anyone who then went on to the cafés on Avinguda Joan Miró found space for conversations about the strong combinations and the visibly improved teamwork.

From a sporting perspective the match was more than just a friendly victory. The convincing performance is another step on the road to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. The display not only created confidence in the national team but also sent positive signals for women’s football on the island: more children playing, more interest, more attendance at local team matches – these are the effects that often follow evenings like this. Local cup shocks such as Atletico Baleares creates cup upset – Palma dreams of a big one also stoke that interest.

The turnout was noticeable for the local economy. Nearby hotels saw increased bookings, bars and small restaurants enjoyed full tables. On days like this Son Moix is not only a sporting venue but also a meeting place; a spot where commerce and community briefly come together. A taxi driver on the way to Plaça de Toros summed it up pragmatically: "The city is breathing football today."

Another pleasant impression for me: many young girls stood with autograph sheets, looked up to their role models and asked for signatures. Images like these stay. They are the tender beginning of a development in which women’s football on Mallorca becomes increasingly natural – in clubs, on playgrounds and at youth tournaments.

The evening at Son Moix was not a surprise in the sense of a fluke win; it was a statement with sporting emphasis, a home night for four players who have roots here, and an invitation to everyone on the island to give women’s football more space, unlike past disappointments such as Poor Start: RCD Mallorca 0-3 to Barcelona – Son Moix Left Disappointed. If you now walk through Palma on a Tuesday evening, you will still hear the echo of the chants for some time. And that is, quite unpretentiously put, good for the island.