Aitana Bonmati scores twice as Spain outclass Switzerland with 5-0 win

CORDOBA – The Spanish women’s team were given a rapturous reception as they played at home for the first time since their World Cup triumph, thrashing Switzerland 5-0 in the Nations League on Tuesday in front of a record crowd.

Captains Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes presented the trophy to jubilant supporters in Cordoba and the squad sported wristbands reading “It’s Over” – a nod to the charge the players are leading in the protracted battle for equality.

“We really wanted to celebrate the World Cup with the fans. We’re proud to see the stadium full today,” said Aitana Bonmati, who scored a brace while Lucia Garcia, Inma Gabarro and Maite Oroz were also on the score sheet.

“I’m happy with the game, with how we won and with the attendance record. It’s a night we will never forget.”

Spain earned a new record home attendance of 14,194 supporters at the Nuevo Arcangel Stadium, albeit a far cry from the 76,000 in Sydney on Aug 20 that watched their first World Cup triumph.

La Roja’s historic title win was regrettably tarnished by the behaviour of former Spanish football federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales, who forcibly kissed midfielder Jennifer Hermoso during the medal ceremony.

The disgraced chief resigned, while controversial coach Jorge Vilda was sacked, but dozens of internationals stayed on strike, demanding further improvements from the federation.

Eventually the majority of new coach Montse Tome’s squad agreed to participate in the Nations League matches, despite being called up against their will, as the Spanish government intervened to broker a deal between the federation and the players.

The RFEF has agreed to make “immediate and profound changes” to its structure.

Spain beat Sweden 3-2 in Gothenburg last Friday and then crushed Switzerland to take a stranglehold on top spot in League A Group 4. The two eventual Nations League finalists qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Several players spoke of the anxiety and stress they suffered last week before the win over Sweden, as well as the tiredness and sleepless nights they accumulated after the World Cup, and before a deal was reached.

Uefa Women’s Player of the Year Bonmati added that the situation was “calming down” and players were glad to focus on football once again.

Tome, meanwhile, said that she was confident that she would remain in her position after the players ended their boycott of the national team.

“The players have been 100 per cent professional and I feel like I have always had their confidence as well. That is what they showed me during all the process,” she said.

Separately, England captain Millie Bright said not having VAR (video assistant referee) available for their Nations League game against the Netherlands in Utrecht was “mind-blowing” after TV replays suggested the hosts’ first goal in their 2-1 win was offside.

“I think we push the level of the game to be so high and professional, yet we sometimes have VAR, sometimes (we) don’t,” she said. “This is international football and we do not have VAR in a competitive international game.”

The VAR system is not mandatory during the group stage, but will be implemented for the Nations League Finals. AFP, REUTERS