Spain enter Sunday's European Championship final against England seeking not just a trophy but redemption from the fallout of their 2023 World Cup triumph. The victory in Australia was immediately overshadowed by the actions of the Spanish football federation, including the unwanted kiss by then-president Luis Rubiales on Jenni Hermoso. For Montse Tomé's team, this final offers a chance to reclaim their legacy.
Spain have been the outstanding team of the tournament, combining their trademark passing game with defensive discipline. But the players have consistently emphasised they are competing for more than silverware. The bitter legal and public battles with the RFEF are part of a longer struggle for recognition and equality. The 2023 World Cup, rather than uniting Spanish football, exposed deep fractures: 15 players had quit before the tournament, and a fragile truce with coach Jorge Vilda and federation officials held only until the final whistle.
Rubiales resigned in 2023, blaming 'false feminism' for the protests, and was later fined £9,000 for sexual assault. Vilda was sacked and now coaches Morocco. Yet the moment of unity that the World Cup could have provided has been lost. Keira Walsh, who played with several Spain stars at Barcelona, noted that Spain's league did not see the same post-tournament boost as England's after the Lionesses' Euro 2022 win, due to the controversy.
For England, the 2023 final remains an open wound, with mistakes and missed chances haunting them. Sarina Wiegman's side seek redemption in Basel. But for Spain, the stakes are higher: restitution, a clean slate, and proof that their footballing excellence can transcend the turmoil off the pitch.
