Spain Hailed for Euro 2024 Victory as England Fans Lament Missed Opportunities
Jul 14, 2024
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: Nico Williams of Spain (17) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with Lamine Yamal (19) during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Spain claimed a record fourth European Championship title on Sunday with a 2-1 win over England.
The two teams were minutes away from extra time when Mikel Oyarzabal scored in the 86th minute to give Spain the late advantage.
SPAIN GOES UP 2-1 IN THE 86TH MINUTE‼️ @BRFootball
England was unable to build on Palmer's momentum in order to score again and earn their first lead of the match.
The wait for a major international trophy in England, a feat the men's team has not managed since the 1966 World Cup, will continue.
Other than the first half v the Dutch & a few spells here & there, England were extremely dull.Rode our luck A LOT but at 1-1, immediately after the goal, we had all the momentum and it was there for the taking. That being said, Spain were the better team & deserved to win. Shame
Spain have been the best team in the tournament and deserved to win but England should be kicking themselves. At some stage you have to gamble and go and try and win a game but England reverted to type after they scored when momentum should have swung.
England has now walked away from the European championship as runners up for a second straight time after losing to Italy in the championship game in 2021.
Meanwhile Spain will celebrate being crowned the European champion for the first time since the team won back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2012.
Euro 2024 Bracket: Updated Predictions After Spain's Win vs. France in Semi-final
Jul 9, 2024
MUNICH, GERMANY - JULY 9: Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates after scoring to make the score 1-1 during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Spain and France at Munich Football Arena on July 9, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Spain booked the first spot in the UEFA Euro 2024 final on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over France.
La Roja came back from a goal down in the first half to secure their spot in Berlin on Sunday against the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between England and the Netherlands.
Spain is going after its third Euro title in the last five tournaments, a span that dates back to the start of its golden generation's success in 2008.
The five-time Euro finalist has looked like the best team in the tournament and it will be favored to win the championship regardless of which team it faces.
Updated Bracket
Final: Spain vs. England/Netherlands (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, Fox)
England vs. Netherlands (Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET, Fox)
Updated Prediction
It's hard to bet against Spain winning the Euro 2024 crown at this point.
Spain cruised through the group stage and was dominant for most of its three knockout-round matches.
Spain scored multiple goals in each of its elimination games. Its win over France was its most impressive triumph yet because it had to respond to an early French opener from Randal Kolo Muani.
The Spanish also played without defensive stalwart Dani Carvajal due to suspension. The job was not easy for Jesus Navas in his matchup against Kylian Mbappe, but he received enough help to slow down the Real Madrid attacker.
Spain's own attack looked strong on Tuesday despite not getting any production out of striker Alvaro Morata.
Teenage phenom Lamine Yamal hit a wonder strike to pull the game level and then Dani Olmo netted the game-winning goal before halftime.
Olmo was used as a substitute for most of the tournament before the quarterfinals, but after Pedri was knocked out of the tournament with an injury, he filled in for the semifinals. Olmo's goal tied him with four others atop the Golden Boot standings. Olmo would win the Golden Boot if the tournament ended now because he has an assist tiebreaker on the other top scorers.
The combination of Morata, Yamal, Olmo and Nico Williams will be difficult for either the England or Netherlands defense to keep at bay.
If England is the opponent, Spain would be playing with less pressure since so many expectations have been put on the English since they fell to Italy on home soil in the UEFA Euro 2020 final.
The Netherlands' attack has been as impressive as Spain's unit, but the Dutch have only held two clean sheets in the tournament.
The more open Dutch defense could lead to enough opportunities for Spain to pounce on over the course of 90 minutes.
England or the Netherlands could compete with Spain at their best, but no team has been as consistently good as Spain over the last month, which makes it hard to pick against La Roja's title quest.
Prediction: Spain over England
Spain's Female Soccer Players Strike over Wage Dispute amid Luis Rubiales Complaint
Sep 7, 2023
Team Spain celebrates with the trophy after winning the Women's World Cup soccer final against England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Female soccer players in Spain are going on strike ahead of the start of the Liga F season after failing to come to terms with the league over working conditions, according to Sarah Hurtes and Rachel Chaundler of the New York Times.
The women's players' union revealed earlier this month that players would sit out games beginning with this weekend's slate of matches if working conditions in the league did not improve.
The most significant issue the players would like to see changed is the minimum wage number.
The minimum wage for female players in Spain is €16,000, and they want to see it progressively increase over the next three years to €30,000. However, the league proposed an increase to €25,000 over three years.
For comparison, men's players in Spain have a €180,000 minimum wage.
The women's players are also pushing for contracts that continue during maternity leave and access to the same nutritionists and doctors that the male players have access to.
"The irresponsibility and lack of spirit and vision of the unions lead clubs and players to a strike that seriously damages the image of Spanish women's football," the women's league said in a statement on Wednesday, as transcribed by the New York Times.
Spain's female soccer players reached their first collective bargaining agreement in 2020.
The strike comes after Spain won the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer. However, their success has been overshadowed by Luis Rubiales' conduct during the team's celebration on the field.
The Spanish soccer chief kissed forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain defeated England 1-0 in the Women's World Cup final on Aug. 20. While Rubiales has stated it was consensual, Hermoso has frequently denied the claim.
"I want to clarify, as you can see in the images, that at no time did I consent to the kiss that he gave me," Hermoso said. "I won't tolerate that my word is called into question, and even less so that words are invented which I didn't say."
Rubiales has been suspended 90 days by FIFA for his actions and is under a breach of conduct investigation by Spain's Administrative Sports Court. However, the Spanish government cannot suspend him amidst the investigation after the sports court deemed the investigation "serious" but not "very serious."
Hermoso pressed charges against Rubiales on Wednesday, accusing him of sexual assault.
The Liga F season opens Friday, and the strike is expected to run through at least Sept. 17.
Luis Rubiales Can't Be Suspended by Spanish Government Amid Ruling, Investigation
Sep 1, 2023
MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 25: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - 'ROYAL SPANISH FOOTBALL FEDERATION / HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), speaks during the extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly of the Spanish Football Federation in Madrid, Spain on August 25, 2023. In a shocking speech on Friday, the president of Spain's football federation refused to quit for kissing a female player while celebrating the World Cup victory. Luis Rubiales was widely expected to step down during an emergency meeting of Spain's football federation. Instead, he insisted he was the victim of the witch-hunt, gave lessons about "real feminism," and vowed to take legal action against Spanish politicians for accusing him of misconduct. (Photo by Royal Spanish Football Federation / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Royal Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales cannot be suspended by the Spanish government for his behavior following the Spanish women's national team's victory at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
Rubiales can't be suspended after Spain's Administrative Sports Court opened a "serious" but not "very serious" breach of conduct investigation into the Spanish soccer chief for his unwelcomed kiss on forward Jennifer Hermoso during the team's World Cup celebration, according to ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens.
Rubiales said in a statement on Friday, via Semra Hunter of Sky Sports:
•”I have learned that no matter how great the joy is and deep the emotion, including a World Cup win, sports leaders should be required to exhibit exemplary behavior, and mine was not.”
•”I also gave the corresponding explanations, telling the truth of what happened. It’s my only version, the one that I’ve maintained from the beginning and I continue to defend and I am not going to modify.”
•”I repeat: with the consent of both parties, both with affectionate hugs, as well as the kiss and subsequent parting thereafter full of affectionate mutual gestures, which occurred in the medal ceremony on stage.”
•”From the beginning the RFEF, through its integrity department, carried out the pertinent procedures. I was called and collaborated to clarify the facts. I am the most interested party. I will continue to collaborate in all areas so that all of this until it comes to an end.”
·"I am especially concerned that some of those who should proclaim and help guarantee the separation of powers in our country, insist on taking part and putting pressure on me, instead of letting justice act with all the guarantees, staying uninvolved."
·"I feel that something has changed and in the face of such spurious injustice and public judgment, ordinary citizens, women and men alike, have come together. I want to thank you here and now."
·"I continue to trust in the independence of the bodies where this issue must be resolved, despite the fact that the political pressure and that of certain media with interests is brutal."
·"Today, the TAD (adminitrative court) has decided to open a file on me. As there is no reason, according to the resolution supported by said body, to classify any action as VERY SERIOUS, a provisional suspension may not be applied by the CSD Board of Directors."
·"In the name of Feminism, it must not be about trying to sink a man - or a woman - without a fair trial. Equality is about identical rights for everyone. Justice must be applied to people without the gender having an impact on the result."
Rubiales was captured on video and in photos kissing Hermoso after Spain defeated England 1-0 in the Women's World Cup final on Aug. 20. He has refused to step down from his position despite mounting pressure to do so, saying the kiss was "consensual."
However, Hermoso has denied his comments on several occasions, saying she felt "vulnerable and the victim of an aggressive act."
"I want to clarify, as you can see in the images, that at no time did I consent to the kiss that he gave me," Hermoso said. "I won't tolerate that my word is called into question, and even less so that words are invented which I didn't say."
Rubiales is also facing backlash for "grabbing his crotch, hugging and kissing other players and carrying another over his shoulder in the celebrations," according to ESPN.
Had Spain's Administrative Sports Court deemed his violations as "very serious," the government could have suspended him immediately.
The ruling is based on Spain's 1990 sports law, according to ESPN, and the Spanish government will still look for Rubiales to be suspended as the investigation into his actions is conducted.
Numerous members of the soccer community have put their support behind Hermoso, including England women's national team manager Sarina Wiegman and United States women's national team star Alex Morgan.
Wiegman, who won the UEFA women's coach of the year award this week, used her speech at the ceremony to support Hermoso and the Spanish women's national team.
"We all know the issues around the Spanish team and it really hurts me as a coach, as a mother of two daughters, as a wife and as a human being," Wiegman said. "The game has grown so much but there's still a long way to go in women's football and in society.
"I would like to dedicate this award to the Spanish team, the team that played in the World Cup such great football that everyone enjoyed. This team deserves to be celebrated and deserved to be listened to."
Morgan wrote in a social media post that she was "disgusted by the public actions of Luis Rubiales" and that she stood by Hermoso.
I'm disgusted by the public actions of Luis Rubiales. I stand by @Jennihermoso and the Spanish players. Winning a World Cup should be one of the best moments in these players' lives but instead it's overshadowed by assault, misogyny, and failures by the Spanish federation.
FIFA, world soccer's governing body, suspended Rubiales from all football-related activity for an initial 90-day period on Aug. 26.
He could still be banned from soccer for a maximum of two years and could also face a criminal case. Spanish prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into Rubiales and will give Hermoso the opportunity to press charges.
Spain's Luis Rubiales Suspended for 90 Days by FIFA After Kissing Jenni Hermoso
Aug 26, 2023
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 15: Luis Rubiales, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation looks on prior to the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between Spain and Sweden at Eden Park on August 15, 2023 in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand. (Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales has been suspended by FIFA for kissing Jenni Hermoso after Spain's victory in the World Cup without her consent.
FIFA announced the 90-day suspension for Rubiales "from all football-related activities at national and international level" and pending the results of "disciplinary proceedings" that were opened against him on Aug. 24.
FIFA has suspended Luis Rubiales 'from all football-related activities at national and international level'. Suspension effective 'for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings opened against Mr. Luis Rubiales on Thursday, August 24'.
In the midst of Spain's celebration following its 1-0 win over England in the World Cup final, Rubiales held Hermoso's head in his hands and kissed her on the mouth.
Amid pressure to resign following his actions, Rubiales refused and claimed the kiss was consensual during a speech on Friday.
"My desire in that moment was exactly the same as if I'd have been kissing one of my daughters. No more or less. Everybody understands that. It was a spontaneous kiss, mutual, euphoric and consensual. That's the key.
"[Hermoso] had missed a penalty. I have a great relationship with all the players. ... In the moment that Jenni arrived, she lifted me up off the ground. We almost fell over. We hugged. I said, 'Forget about the penalty, you've been fantastic, we wouldn't have won the World Cup without you.' She said: 'You're great.' I said, 'A kiss?' and she said: 'Yes.'
"From 'no big deal' and all that, then the pressure starts, the silence of the player and a statement [from Hermoso] that I don't understand. Justice isn't being done here. This is a social assassination of me, they're trying to kill me."
In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Hermoso disputed Rubiales' words as "categorically false and part of the manipulative culture that he himself has generated" and she wanted to "make it clear that at no time" did the conversation he referred to take place, nor was the kiss consensual.
ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens originally reported that Rubiales was going to resign from his position at his Friday press conference before he defiantly refused.
A separate statement from Hermoso released by her union, FUTPRO (h/t Kirkland and Faez), was co-signed by all the other members of Spain's World Cup squad and 58 former players, and said they would not return to play for the national team as long as Rubiales remains in his position.
Spain's Luis Rubiales Defiantly Says He Won't Resign After Kissing Jenni Hermoso
Aug 25, 2023
MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 22: Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales attends a reception to the Spanish women’s national football team at Moncloa Palace after they won the Australia and New Zealand FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, on August 22, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. The Spanish women's team have won their first-ever World Cup after beating England 1-0 in the final. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales will not resign amid the controversy surrounding him kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain's Women's World Cup victory.
"Do you think this [incident] is so serious that I should go, after the best management in the history of Spanish football?" Rubiales announced Friday. "Let me tell you: I'm not going to resign. I'm not going to resign. I'm not going to resign.
"I've come under a lot of pressure. Perhaps somebody will look to remove me on Monday. But we live in a country of laws. Is a consensual kiss enough to remove me? I'm going to fight until the end. I hope the law is followed, and that as there's no reason to [remove me], it won't happen."
On Thursday, ESPN's Rodrigo Faez reported that Rubiales was planning to resign. ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens wrote that Rubiales "was also seen effusively hugging other Spain players and kissing them on the cheek" after Spain's win.
Hermoso issued a statement earlier this week calling Rubiales' actions "unacceptable" and called for a punishment. She issued an additional statement on Friday:
FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales, and Spain's Sports Council is planning to sanction the coach through its Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Borja Iglesias, a Spanish national team striker, said he will not play for Spain until action is taken against Rubiales.
Spain and Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias has announced he will not play for the national team ‘until things change and this kind of action doesn't go unpunished’ following Luis Rubiales' statements pic.twitter.com/44dE6Dc5VL
Rubiales has led Spain's international soccer effort since 2018. While the men's club has been a disappointment under his leadership, the women's triumph was the first in Spanish history.
Report: RFEF President Luis Rubiales to Resign After Forcibly Kissing Jenni Hermoso
Aug 24, 2023
MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 22: Luis Rubiales attends a reception hosted by Pedro Sanchez, First Minister of Spain (not pictured) for the players and staff of the Spain women's national football team after they won the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 at Palacio de la Moncloa on August 22, 2023, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Oscar J. Barroso / AFP7 via Getty Images)
After facing a review by FIFA's disciplinary committee for forcibly kissing Spain player Jenni Hermoso, Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales is reportedly set to step down.
According to ESPN's Rodrigo Faez (h/t Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens), Rubiales plans to resign on Friday after his "position had grown increasingly untenable" following his actions while celebrating Spain's win over England in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday.
In addition to forcing a kiss on Hermoso while handing out medals for Spain's victory, Rubiales also was seen "effusively hugging and kissing other Spain players on the cheek," per Marsden and Llorens. Before that, he grabbed his crotch in a victory gesture while standing in close proximity to 16-year-old Princess Infanta Sofía and Queen Letizia of Spain.
In the wake of criticism following those incidents, Rubiales was defiant and called those criticizing him "idiots." He later issued a video apology, but Spain's acting prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, called it "insufficient and inadequate." Multiple government and Spanish sport officials began to call for his resignation, and Hermoso released a joint statement with her union that said such acts "should never go unpunished."
A crisis meeting was held by regional leaders of the RFEF in Madrid on Thursday in which Rubiales' future was discussed as well as potential options for his replacement. Pedro Rocha, head of the Extremadura football federation, and Pablo Lozano, head of the Andalusia federation, are reportedly the favorites to succeed him.
Rubiales was elected as president of the RFEF in 2018, but his tenure has been rife with controversy. He was accused of spying on Spanish Players' Association president David Aganzo, though he denied the allegation. Last September, he backed Spanish women's national team coach Jorge Vilda in the wake of 15 players complaining that they didn't feel comfortable playing for him.
Spain's Olga Carmona Learns of Father's Death After Winning 2023 Women's World Cup
Aug 20, 2023
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 20: Olga Carmona of Spain celebrates after the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images,)
Spain captain Olga Carmona, who scored the lone goal in her country's 1-0 win over England in the World Cup final on Sunday morning, learned after the match that her father had died.
"We deeply regret that we must announce the death of Olga Carmona's father," the Royal Spanish Football Federation said in a statement on social media (as translated by Sam Marsden of ESPN). "[Carmona] learned of the sad news after the World Cup final. We send our deepest condolences to Olga and her family at this time of deep sorrow. We love you, Olga, you are Spanish football history."
Carmona's club, Real Madrid, also released a statement in support of the veteran defender.
"Real Madrid, the president and the board of directors are deeply saddened by the passing of the father of our player Olga Carmona," it read. "Real Madrid would like to extend our condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Olga, her family and all her loved ones. May he rest in peace."
Carmona was Spain's hero in the last two matches, as she also scored an 89th-minute winner against Sweden in the semifinals.
After her first-half goal on Sunday, she pulled up her kit to reveal a shirt with the word "Merchi" on her shirt underneath.
After the game, Olga Carmona explains she lifted her shirt after scoring in honor of the mother of her best friend who recently passed away ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Wm3XQMaAK6
"First of all, I want to say that this victory, this achievement, goes to the mother one of my best friends who has recently passed away," she told reporters after the game regarding the undershirt. "I celebrated the goal with her shirt and from here, I dedicate this to the whole family with all my love."
World Cup 2022 Scores: Tuesday's Round-of-16 Results and Quarterfinals Schedule
Dec 6, 2022
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 06: Goncalo Ramos (C) of Portugal celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Switzerland at Lusail Stadium on December 06, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Markus Gilliar - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
The 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals field is made up of seven regulars on the men’s international soccer scene and one underdog determined to make one of the biggest surprise runs in tournament history.
Portugal was the seventh favored side to win a round-of-16 match, as it thumped Switzerland 6-1 on Tuesday afternoon.
Portugal scored five of its goals without Cristiano Ronaldo on the field, a move that worked out better than manager Fernando Santos could have imagined.
Morocco will be Portugal’s quarterfinal opponent. The Atlas Lions are the only team left from outside Europe and South America in Qatar.
Morocco used its fantastic defense to force a penalty shootout with Spain. La Roja missed three of their PKs, while Morocco made three of its four spot kicks to advance.
Morocco 0 (3), Spain 0 (0)
Morocco continued its remarkable run in Qatar by becoming the fourth-ever African side, and first since 2010, to advance to the quarterfinals.
Achraf Hakimi finished off the victory with a cheeky finish past Unai Simón.
Spain, as expected, dominated the possession battle, but it was wasteful in the final third. La Furia Roja attempted 13 shots, but only one of those attempts went on target.
The arrivals of Alvaro Morata and Pablo Sarabia did not help the Spanish, as Morocco remained firm in defense.
Morocco defended well for 120 minutes, like it has all tournament long. The Atlas Lions have not allowed a goal to an opposing player. Canada forced an own goal off them in the group stage.
Before Qatar, Morocco reached the round of 16 at the World Cup once in 1986. It has not gotten past the quarterfinals at the African Cup of Nations since it was runner-up in 2004.
Morocco will once again be a hefty underdog on Saturday when it goes head-to-head with another European side within close proximity of its borders in Portugal.
Portugal 6, Switzerland 1
Portugal turned in its best performance in Qatar without Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting lineup. Ronaldo’s replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, turned in the breakout game of his young international career.
Ramos, who plays for Benfica in the Portuguese league, produced a hat trick to power Portugal into the final eight.
Ramos scored his first World Cup goal in the 17th minute by blasting a shot over Yann Sommer. The Swiss goalkeeper looked bewildered that the shot went over him from such a close angle.
