WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Women’s National Team conceded not one, but two early goals against No. 1-ranked Spain and ultimately never recovered. A sublime strike from midfielder Patri Guijarro and a one-time finish from winger Eva Navarro propelled the reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup holders past Emma Hayes’ squad 2-0 at Audi Field on Saturday. It marked the second time in 2026 that the Americans were shutout in a match and the fifth time overall since January 2024. Spain struck first through a sensational right-footed strike from Barcelona midfielder Patri Guijarro to shock Emma Hayes’ squad early. A turnover at midfield allowed Spain to race upfield and connect on a handful of passes before Guijarro teed a shot up and found the far-left corner. Patri Guijarro puts the world champions in front early with a BANGER pic.twitter.com/pmBclgep4a— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 10, 202610 minutes after grabbing an early lead, Spain would double it thanks to another clinical finish.Salma Paralluelo created space on the left wing before sending a cross into the box that Eva Navarro would one-time into the roof of the net.Eva Navarro with the finish and USWNT are down 2-0 after just 14 minutes pic.twitter.com/Xx7tUVELqY— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 10, 2026The USWNT raised the tempo as the half went on and came close to trimming their deficit after Alyssa Thompson rounded Spain goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares. However, the Spain backline bailed out their goalkeeper, clearing Thompson’s shot off the line. Nanclares came up big again for Spain as the half went on, denying Sophia Wilson her second international goal of the year. Wilson tried a shot outside of the box on her right foot and watched Nanclares push the effort off of the crossbar. It marked the first time since March 2017 (3-1 loss to France) that the USWNT were down 2-0 in the first half of a match.Nanclares’ busy afternoon continued after the interval, with the 24-year-old standing tall to keep the USWNT at bay. The Athletic Bilbao shot-stopper denied Trinity Rodman’s close-range effort before also repelling Lindsey Heaps and Rose Lavelle’s later chances. VAR gave the USWNT a lifeline after the hour mark, awarding them with a penalty kick after Natalia Ramos brought down Wilson in the box. However, Nanclares was up to the test again, diving to her right to punch away Lily Yohannes’ spot kick. Lily Yohannes denied at the spot by Adriana Nanclares pic.twitter.com/0g8dUaNJw8— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 10, 2026Spain was reduced to 10 players ahead of stoppage time after VAR ruled that Athenea del Castillo was guilty of a hair pull, but the USWNT couldn’t take advantage in the final few minutes. Nanclares finished the match with a nine-save clean sheet as Spain registered its fourth-consecutive win in all competitions. The USWNT will now seek a bounce-back result against Spain on Tuesday as their two-match October window closes in Chester, Pennsylvania.