Football can be brutally unforgiving, and Laia Codina experienced that at Victoria Road on Sunday.
Making her return to the starting XI after missing the win over London City Lionesses, the Spain international was seconds away from helping West Ham United Women secure a clean sheet against Everton.
Instead, Yūka Momiki’s inswinging free-kick glanced off Codina in the fourth minute of stoppage time and found the net.
The official West Ham match report confirmed the own goal decided a contest Guarino’s side had defended resolutely for most of the afternoon.
It was a cruel ending.
It should not change how West Ham view Codina.
Laia Codina gave West Ham defensive stability
Judging Codina solely on the decisive touch would ignore everything that came before it.
She returned alongside Estelle Cascarino and helped West Ham keep Everton quiet for long periods.
Codina also nearly made an impact at the opposite end when she met Katie Zelem’s first-half corner and headed narrowly wide.
Her return had been the major selection change before kick-off, as we covered in our confirmed West Ham Women XI against Everton.
One unfortunate deflection should not outweigh an otherwise solid defensive performance.
Codina’s experience remains vital for Guarino
West Ham signed Codina because of the experience she can bring to a rebuilt squad.
Her official West Ham profile details a career which includes 58 appearances for Arsenal, Champions League success with both Arsenal and Barcelona and a World Cup triumph with Spain.
She started all four of Spain’s knockout matches at the 2023 World Cup, including the final against England.
That pedigree matters.
Guarino has added significant experience throughout the spine of the team, with Katie Zelem and Saki Kumagai providing similar leadership in midfield.
Codina should remain part of that core.
Tottenham gives Codina immediate chance to respond
West Ham do not have long to dwell on Sunday’s defeat.
They face Tottenham Hotspur away in the Subway Players Cup on Wednesday 23 September at 7pm BST, with the official West Ham fixture page confirming the details.
Guarino has already welcomed the quick turnaround because it gives her side an immediate opportunity to respond.
Codina should be given the same opportunity.
Dropping an experienced defender because of one unfortunate stoppage-time moment would be an overreaction.
West Ham brought Codina to east London to be trusted in difficult moments.
Wednesday is the perfect chance to show that trust remains intact.