{"id":102358,"date":"2023-09-23T19:43:12","date_gmt":"2023-09-23T19:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/09\/23\/spain-wins-first-game-since-world-cup-glory-as-opponent-sweden\/"},"modified":"2023-09-23T19:43:12","modified_gmt":"2023-09-23T19:43:12","slug":"spain-wins-first-game-since-world-cup-glory-as-opponent-sweden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/09\/23\/spain-wins-first-game-since-world-cup-glory-as-opponent-sweden\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain wins first game since World Cup glory as opponent Sweden"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Spain\u00a0won its first match since scandal engulfed its soccer federation following its triumphant campaign at the 2023 Women\u2019s World Cup, beating Sweden 3-2 in dramatic fashion on Friday.<\/p>\n

The victory comes after a tumultuous month following former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president\u00a0Luis Rubiales\u2019\u00a0unwanted kiss on Jennifer Hermoso during the title celebrations.<\/p>\n

Amid the ongoing fallout,\u00a0La Roja\u00a0<\/em>found a way past Sweden in the UEFA Nations League game, clinching victory at almost the last possible moment as Mariona Caldentey scored from the penalty spot deep into injury time.<\/p>\n

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Earlier this week, 20 players named to the national team reiterated their refusal to play the game against Sweden.<\/p>\n

After crisis talks,\u00a021 of the 23 players\u00a0selected agreed to play after the federation committed to make immediate changes to its structure.<\/p>\n

Before the match, both teams held a banner that read \u2018#SeAcab\u00f3\u2019 which translates into English as \u2018It\u2019s over.\u2019 The banner also included the phrase, \u2018Our fight is the global fight.\u2019<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s players also wore wristbands with \u2018#SeAcab\u00f3\u2019 written on them.<\/p>\n

England and Scotland players wore similar wristbands during their own UEFA Nations League game on Friday, once again displaying the solidarity among female soccer players that has been evident throughout the month-long scandal.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt last we ended up playing. We went through some very difficult last few days, nights without sleeping, we are exhausted but we are not the type that make excuses,\u201d Athenea del Castillo said afterwards, according to Reuters.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe came here, showed up and we fought until the end. Very proud of our team and how we delivered this win with heart and grit.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the field, Spain and Sweden met in a replay of the Women\u2019s World Cup semifinal last month and it was Sweden who took the lead first after Magdalena Eriksson headed in a corner.<\/p>\n

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Spain\u2019s players celebrate after winning their UEFA Nations League match against Sweden.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jonathan Nackstrand\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/em><\/p>\n

Spain equalized 15 minutes later when Del Castillo\u2019s speculative strike was fumbled by goalkeeper Ze\u0107ira Mu\u0161ovi\u0107 and deflected off her into the net.<\/p>\n

Eva Navarro then gave\u00a0La Roja<\/em>\u00a0a 2-1 lead as her powerful shot sailed high over Mu\u0161ovi\u0107\u2019s head, completing a flowing move that had sliced the Swedish defense wide open.<\/p>\n

Sweden equalized through Lina Hurtig before there was late drama.<\/p>\n

Amanda Ilestedt conceded a penalty in the 94th minute and was red carded for pulling back Amaiur Sarriegi when she was through on goal.<\/p>\n

Caldentey made no mistake from the spot to give her team victory.<\/p>\n

Away from the pitch, the turmoil within Spanish football continued as the RFEF announced the firing of its director of integrity on Friday.<\/p>\n

No further information was provided\u00a0<\/p>\n

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