Less than a month after conquering their final peak and claiming their maiden World Cup trophy in Australia, Spain’s women’s national team played their first game as World Champions. In their UEFA Nations League game, La Roja was tasked with a rematch of their World Cup semifinal against Sweden. And like in the World Cup, Spain won again by a goal difference.
Despite being entangled in a web of off-the-field issues, Spain clinched a 3-2 victory over Sweden. The Spanish national team players were threatened with legal action following their refusal to play for the country as a result of an unresolved conflict with the Spanish Football Association, RFEF. The players demanded a change in leadership and better treatment from the association following the infamous non-consensual kiss shared between Jennifer Hermoso and RFEF’s ex-president, Luis Rubiales, who recently resigned following the scandal at the World Cup. The issue also saw World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda relieved of his position as head coach of the national team.
Amidst all the drama, Spain displayed a performance worthy of champions and won their match against Sweden. Barcelona Femeni stars Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmati, Irene Paredes, Cata Coll, Ona Batlle, and Mariona Caldentey all played the full 90 minutes of the game.
Mariona Caldentey assisted the first goal for La Roja before converting from the penalty spot to score the winning goal in the extra minutes of the game.
Spain will continue their UEFA Nations League campaign on Tuesday, October 26 when they face Switzerland.
