Last summer, England and Spain met in the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, with the Spanish running out 1-0 victors to claim the trophy for the first time in history. Barely 12 months later, the two teams met again, this time in the men’s game to contest the final of UEFA Euro 2024. But how did this new international rivalry come to fruition, and what can we expect to see going forward?
Spain’s Triumph
The most recent installment of the Women’s World Cup was a landmark event in female sports. It was the most attended women’s sporting event of all time as well as being the most viewed worldwide as well. Australia and New Zealand were the perfect hosts for the competition, with the former ultimately reaching the semifinals before losing to England. And while the Lionesses could celebrate on that occasion, heartache was waiting for them in the final.
Under the guidance of coach Jorge Vilda, Spain played with a blend of technical finesse and tactical intelligence that had become the hallmark of their male counterparts just over a decade prior. With Xavi and Andres Iniesta conducting the orchestra the Spanish romped to three straight trophies between 2008 and 2012. In 2023, the key figures instead were the likes of Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí,…
