Spain, from the kissing scandal to consensus toward the triple crown

The happiest day in the history of Spanish women's football was also one of the saddest. Olga Carmona's goal against Mary Earps lifted the team to heaven , while Luis Rubiales's unwanted kiss with Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony shortly afterward sent them into the depths of hell. The downplaying and mocking statements, the forced press releases, the president's arrogant castling to avoid resigning , Jorge Vilda's support and applause, and the coercion and pressure on the player prevented the team from celebrating and showing off the World Cup as it should. But none of that mud could overshadow the moment women's football is experiencing in Spain, which has become a benchmark, both for its talent and dignity.

More than 16,000 kilometers separate Sydney from Basel, where the Euro 2020 final will be played on July 27. Almost two years have passed. But the Spanish national team feels far removed from all that. They feel much stronger. Montse Tomé is now leading the team, which has returned key players like Patri Guijarro and Claudia Pina . Louzán replaced the unavailable Rubiales and Rocha. And the working methods have taken a huge leap forward, while the atmosphere around them has become safer and more friendly.

Without scandals, the game shines The demands and ambition in the locker room are at their highest once the environment has pacified.

There are no more long faces or angry faces. No more meetings in neutral venues or visits to court . After the scandal, football is finally shining. The World Cup was followed by success in the Nations League and the setback of the Olympic Games, where they came within a hair's breadth of winning bronze. But if the group knows anything, it's getting back on their feet, and the ball now points to the European Championship in Switzerland. Spain is thinking big and wants to consolidate its vigor and strength by doing what it does best: playing well and attacking.

La Roja wants to reestablish her dominance and flair for the only title she's missing from her trophy haul. To achieve this, the national team coach is relying on a Barcelona-centric squad, with ten Barça players, plus Laia Aleixandri, who returns this summer, and Mariona Caldentey , who left in 2024 to win the Champions League with Arsenal.

Meningitis has weakened her. Down at the start, Aitana must focus on Alexia's spirit, who returns to the tournament she missed in 2022.

With two double Ballon d'Or winners in their midfield (Aitana and Alexia), it's no surprise that their strength lies in moving the ball well and creating chances. They also have plenty of competition up front, where Jenni Hermoso has been left out. Tomé has a diverse lineup to play up front, from the nimble Mariona, the speed of Paralluelo, the instinctive Esther González, the decisive Pina, and the decisive Athenea del Castillo. With so much firepower, they rarely score a clean sheet, as happened in the match for third place at the Olympics.

Two years ago, at the World Cup, starting in the round of 16, the national team dispatched four European rivals to become world champions: Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and England. At the Games, they lost to Germany. All of those rivals will be in contention, starting with the group stage, where they will face Portugal, Belgium, and Italy . They have already faced the top two this year in the first round of the Nations League, with a double victory. Against the Italians, a very feisty team, they should be playing for the top spot. In October, they drew 1-1 in Vicenza.

After the World Cup and the Nations League Tomé relies on a block with ten from Barça, plus Aleixandri and Mariona, in search of the missing title.

No one better represents Spain's phoenix-like resurgence than A. Lexia Putellas, who just days before the start of the previous European Championship, three years ago, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee while she was the number one. The Mollet native returned and played in each of the seven World Cup matches and all six at the Olympics. But this Euro is very special for her, at 31 years old, after scoring 22 goals this season for Barça . Aitana Bonmatí, already in Lausanne after falling ill with viral meningitis and having to be hospitalized, must cling to that indomitable spirit. She arrived on Monday, 24 hours after her teammates . Spain has already overcome many problems. Now she wants to focus on football and can score goals without burdens. The consensus is that she is the favorite. Winning would mean the triple crown: World Cup, Nations League, and European Championship.