If you were wondering how much players truly cared about the inaugural Women’s Nations League, the scenes at full-time left you in little doubt.
Spain celebrated their 2-0 final victory over France like it was a genuinely big deal — and this is a side who won the biggest prize in world football six months ago.
Substituted players and unused back-ups sprinted off the bench to join their team-mates on the pitch, jumping up and down in a circle and breaking into a familiar round of ‘Campeones’.
Two Spain players were not part of those immediate celebrations, however; instead going around their defeated opponents and making a point of shaking hands — Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey. They were, coincidentally, the two goalscorers, and the game’s best two players. They, more than anyone else on the pitch, summarise what Spanish football is all about, and why they are so difficult to defeat.
Spain celebrate Bonmati’s opening goal (Cristina Quicler/AFP via Getty Images)
Since Spain’s World Cup victory, the discussion about facing them has been centred around one question: ‘How do you stop Bonmati?’ The question is a little reductive, and probably misses the point.
In the World Cup, Bonmati was over-run in midfield when Spain lost 4-0 to Japan in the…
