Spain seeks redemption in Euro 2025: Forget the controversy and shine in football.

The Euro 2025 tournament has presented a different atmosphere for the Spanish national team. Despite arriving as world champions and favorites, they had never surpassed the semi-finals in this championship. After the triumph at the 2023 World Cup in Australia, the team has fought to be recognized for its football, leaving behind the events that overshadowed it. The match against England, a repeat of the World Cup final two years ago, brings with it wounds from the past. Although Spain won 1-0, the victory was marred by the non-consensual kiss of the former president of the Spanish Federation, Luis Rubiales, to Jenni Hermoso. What should have been a night of celebration turned into controversy. The team’s achievements, such as the award to Aitana Bonmatí as Player of the Tournament and Salma Paralluelo as Young Player, were overshadowed. The controversy extended beyond sports, affecting the team’s image for months.

Since then, the players have preferred to focus on football. The goal is for their technical performance and their streak of five consecutive victories in the tournament to be the center of attention. This team, with its mix of youth and experience, led by figures like Cata Coll, Vicky López, Clàudia Pina, Bonmatí, Paredes and Alexia Putellas, is achieving historic milestones for Spanish women’s football.

It seemed written in the stars. The players were offside, then there were doubts about whether they would arrive, and today they were the stars.

Irene Paredes

Spain was close to the final in 1997, but failed to qualify for the European Championship until 2013. Despite its recognition as the best team in the world in recent years, its European campaigns have been disappointing so far. The triumph in the 2023 World Cup and the UEFA Nations League in 2024 did not generate the same impact as England’s success in the 2022 European Championship. The Liga F has not managed to capitalize on the expected momentum, and it continues to be dominated by FC Barcelona.

I would like to say that everything has changed, and the World Cup gave us more things, but I can’t say it. I compare it to when England won the European Championship, everything changed, but we won the World Cup, and no, it didn’t change, especially in the league. We have the same problems as always.

Aitana Bonmatí

Keira Walsh, England midfielder and former teammate of several Spanish players at Barcelona, highlighted the need to move past the events of the World Cup. She acknowledged that the recognition for Spain after the World Cup was not the same as that for England after winning the European Championship, and regretted that the focus was on the controversy instead of the incredible performance of the players. The team has fought an 18-month battle to change the narrative and refocus on football. Despite off-field issues, Spain has maintained a high level of play. Of the 36 matches since the 2023 World Cup final, they have won 29, with two draws and five defeats. One of those defeats was against England in the Nations League in February, although they took revenge in June with a 2-1 victory.

The champion mentality of Spain has allowed them to stay on top despite the adversities. This time, the team feels relaxed and focused on football, thanks to the improvements in the facilities, the support of the federation and the expansion of the staff.

Today, I feel like we’ve made history again. For the first time, we’ve reached the final of a European Championship and beaten Germany, something we’ve never done before. I am proud to belong to this generation of footballers who are achieving so much. This is not over yet.

Aitana Bonmatí

Spain seeks to win the title they are missing, and if they achieve it, it will be redemption. They want their status as champions to be celebrated for their football and not for what happened off the field. Walsh, putting aside any rivalry, hopes the players enjoy the final and showcase their incredible football. “I simply want them to go out and enjoy the game,” she concluded.