Spain’s world champions have returned with a victory. There was a 3-2 win against Sweden to start the Nations League. Before the game there was a lot of solidarity with the players.
After the World Cup triumph in Australia, the abusive kiss from former association president Rubiales, a big strike and many upheavals, Spain’s soccer world champions returned to the pitch with a last-minute victory – the start of the Nations League in Sweden was complete in the spirit of the fight against the grievances in the national association. Spain won 3:2 (1:1), before kick-off the Swedes expressed their solidarity with their opponents.
Both teams posed together in Gothenburg behind a banner with the slogan #SeAcabo (“Enough”) and the inscription “Our fight is the global fight.” Swedish fans also showed posters in the stands promoting equality for women in sport and society.
Hermoso not nominated for the game
There were nine World Cup winners in Spain’s starting line-up. During the team photo, the players showed bandages on their wrists with messages of support for Jenni Hermoso. The 33-year-old was not nominated, according to the new national coach Montse Tome, for her “own protection”.
After winning the World Cup final in Sydney, Hermoso was kissed on the mouth by the now resigned Spanish association president Luis Rubiales without her consent at the award ceremony. The incident was new fuel in a dispute with the RFEF association that had been simmering for some time. The players declared their strike for the Nations League, but Tome still nominated a team. Ultimately, even the Spanish government got involved, and after long discussions, 21 players agreed to return to the squad.
The world champions Athenea (37th), Eva Navarro (77th) and Mariona (90th + 6) scored for Spain with a penalty kick in stoppage time on Friday evening. Magdalena Eriksson (23rd) and Lina Hurtig (82nd) were successful for Sweden. Next Tuesday Spain will face Switzerland.