Stadium Australia exploded in a burst of emotions on the evening of August 20, as Spain lifted the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time. A solitary goal scored by the star Olga Carmona proved to be a difference between the two sides and also provided Spain a cushion to miss a penalty in the second half. The win came against every odd. The national team had a not so good year filled with controversies. They were not coming in with the best morale and united feeling in the tournament. Yet, they held on to the consistent performances on the pitch and as the competition saw upsets unfold, Spain kept moving forward till they lifted the prestigious title. Despite the win, the Spain head coach Jorge Vilda was booed from the crowd as he was collecting his medal. It all goes back to the controversies surrounding him and the footballers. In this article, we will look back at the controversies they had inside the team caused due the fractious relationship shared between the players and the coach Jorge Vilda. Spanish Football President Luis Rubiales Kisses Jenni Hermoso on Her Lips During Trophy Presentation After Spain’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Win, Sparks Outrage.

Jorge Vilda has been part of Spanish Women's Football across different age groups for almost 12 years. He has been the technical director of Women's Football in Spain and alongside took over the charge as the head coach of the Senior Women's Football Team of Spain in 2015. He has been one of the most influential members within in the Spanish FA. Controversies started to build up from 2019 when Vilda imposed a rule that during International tour, the players cannot lock their room till mid-night.  Things escalated in 2022 during the UEFA Euro when 15 members of the national team made themselves unavailable for selection until there is a change in backroom staff, starting with the sacking of Jorge Vilda.

In September 2022, Vilda lost the control of the dressing room. The core of the Spanish football team communicated with the Spanish FA President Luis Rubiales demanding the sacking of Vilda representing the feeling of the squad that it doesn't feel well directed by the current coaching staff.  It was a rebellion led by captain Irene Paredes and two dressing-room leaders, Jennifer Hermoso and Patricia Guijarro although it was rejected by Rubiales.  On September 23, the 15 players signed an email opting out of selection. Vilda moved on with a new squad and only three out of the fifteen made it to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. ‘...Had My Star Before the Game Started’ Olga Carmona Learns of Her Father’s Death After Leading Spain to FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Title, Pens Emotional Note.

Despite such controversies and poor relations between the coach and the players, Spain made it all the way to their maiden FIFA Women's World Cup victory. Achievement like that with such a background is rarely precedented across sporting history and the effort of the World Cup winning footballers can be summed up only with the saying, 'If there is a will, there is a way'.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 21, 2023 04:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).