Jenni Hermoso's late heroics lead Spain to 1-0 victory over Italy in Nations League
Posted : 28 October 2023
Spain's Jenni Hermoso, a substitute in the match against Italy, marked her return to the national team with a spectacular 89th-minute goal, securing a 1-0 victory in the Nations League. Her comeback follows a period of absence and controversy, stemming from the infamous kiss scandal involving former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales. Hermoso had been excluded from matches against Sweden and Switzerland in September.
The scandal led to Rubiales' resignation as the unsolicited kiss on Hermoso's lips during the Women's World Cup presentation ceremony sparked widespread outrage, involving players, government officials, and Spanish society at large. The incident raised serious questions about sexism in sports.
Coach Montse Tome had earlier omitted Hermoso from the squad, stating that her decision was aimed at "protecting her." However, in the wake of the recent victory, Tome expressed her delight at having Hermoso back in the team. She emphasized the importance of Hermoso's contribution, especially when Italy adopted a more defensive strategy.
Hermoso's moment of glory arrived in the 68th minute when she seized a rebound from Alexia Putellas' shot and deftly slotted the ball into the net, becoming the national team's top scorer with 52 goals. Spain now leads Nations League group four with nine points, followed by Sweden with six and Italy with three. Their next challenge awaits against Switzerland, who are currently at the bottom of the group and have yet to secure a single point, on Tuesday.
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