AUBURN, Ala. (Interstat) — The United States women’s national team erased a two-goal deficit and tied Spain 2-2 on Tuesday, using a late goal from Mallory Pugh to salvage a draw after Spain controlled much of the first half. The match featured four goals, two late yellow cards and a series of substitutions that changed the shape of both teams. Spain had taken the lead early and appeared on course for a second win over the United States this season, but the Americans responded after halftime and found an equalizer in the closing minutes.

Spain built its lead through Alexia Putellas and Salma Paralluelo. Putellas opened the scoring in the 27th minute, finishing after Clara Serrajordi provided the assist. Five minutes later, Putellas turned provider, setting up Paralluelo in the 32nd minute to make it 2-0. Paralluelo’s goal came during a first half in which Spain’s pressure and quick combinations repeatedly stretched the U.S. defense. Paralluelo was substituted at halftime, along with O. Hernandez and E. Imade, as the visitors adjusted their lineup. Putellas, who had a goal and an assist in 62 minutes, remained involved until she was replaced in the 62nd minute along with C. Pinedo.

The United States responded after the break. Ashley Sanchez pulled one back in the 49th minute, scoring with an assist from Sophia Wilson to cut Spain’s lead to 2-1. Sanchez played 80 minutes before being substituted, and her goal changed the match’s momentum. The U.S. continued to push forward, using substitutions in the 60th and 61st minutes to add fresh legs and increase pressure on Spain’s back line. T. Rodman entered in the 60th, and G. Thompson, L. Heaps, R. Lavelle and C. Hutton followed in the 61st as the home team sought more energy in midfield and wide areas.

Spain made further changes in the 77th and 78th minutes, including removing Serrajordi after her 78-minute shift. I. Paredes entered in the 77th, while A. Medina and Serrajordi came off in the 78th. The visitors tried to protect their lead, but the United States found an equalizer in the 86th minute when Mallory Pugh scored off an assist from Michelle Cooper. Pugh played 29 minutes and made her late chance count, leveling the match at 2-2. Cooper’s 30-minute appearance included the assist on the equalizer, giving the U.S. a second-half spark after Spain’s halftime adjustments.

Spain’s discipline slipped late. N. Ramos received a yellow card in the 80th minute, and O. Vignola was booked in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. The United States pressed for a winner in the closing minutes, but Spain held on for the draw. Sophia Wilson played 80 minutes and provided the assist on Sanchez’s goal. The U.S. also substituted T. Davidson, Wilson and Sanchez in the 80th minute, shortly before Spain’s first booking and just before the final push for an equalizer.

The draw leaves Spain with one win, no losses and one draw in the competition, and the same record across all competitions. The United States is now 0-1-1 in the competition and 0-1-1 overall. Spain had won the previous meeting between the teams earlier this season, defeating the United States 2-0. That result gave Spain early momentum in the series, but the rematch produced a different finish as the Americans recovered from a slow start. Spain’s first-half control gave way to a more open second half, and the late goal denied Spain a second victory in the series.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Spain 2, United States 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected the United States with a 58 percent probability to win. The actual result diverged from the simulator’s score line, while the late equalizer denied Spain a second victory in the series.