-with AP
Of course, these two nations have met in the final of a major global football tournament very, very recently.
Spain came out on top in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final, a match now infamous for its aftermath involving Luis Rubiales.
Spain had been the better team in that tournament too.
The Spanish won 1-0 in Sydney thanks to Olga Carmona’s first half strike.
Incidentally, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was, at first, a staunch supporter of Rubiales after the fall out from his unsolicited kiss of Jenni Hermoso.
De la Fuente clapped several times during the equally infamous emergency general assembly called by the Spanish FA, when Rubiales refused to step down, railing against what he called the “scourge” of feminism in Spain.
But, De la Fuente said it was his mistake and he needed to learn.
“I have received harsh criticism, and it is completely deserved,” De la Fuente said just a week after his very visible support.
“If I could go back in time, I would not do that again. We all have to do more for equality. Me too. And I am working on that.”
Back to the football though, and England were desperately disappointed to finish second in that match.
Then, England were the defending women’s European Champions and had been led to a major national tournament final for the first time by Sarina Wiegman – a feat Gareth Southgate has just emulated.
Anyway, have a read about why defeat was so disappointing for England in Sydney, here.