England vs Spain: Laia Codina says visitors stronger after Rubiales saga

Spain and Arsenal defender Laia Codina has said her national team are “stronger” after the off-pitch difficulties they have faced in recent years, most notably the sexual assault of Jenni Hermoso by former federation chief Luis Rubiales.

Rubiales was found guilty last week of sexual assault and ordered to pay a fine for his unsolicited kiss of Hermoso in the aftermath of Spain’s triumph at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Sydney in 2023. He has since appealed the decision.

That verdict came after a trial in Madrid in which Codina testified, along with international teammates Hermoso, Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes. They told the court that Rubiales’ kiss left Hermoso “overwhelmed” and killed her joy in what should have been a moment of sporting triumph.

Codina, who joined Arsenal in August 2023, said her team had grown as a result of the incident.

“As a group, for sure, I can feel it,” she told BBC Sport. “We are all so much stronger. We, all of us, have suffered a lot off the pitch.

“A good example is against Belgium [last week when they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2]. Two years ago, I think we would have lost that game.”

Codina added that the…