Key Points
- Spain will play in the final of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup on Sunday.
- In September 2022, more than a dozen Spanish players announced they would stand down from national duties.
- Despite having his coaching style questioned, Jorge Vilda remained in the role following the revolt.
Spain may be set to vie for champion status in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney on Sunday, but not everything is rosy within the ranks of the team known to its fans as La Roja (The Red).
In the aftermath of Spain’s quarter-final win over Sweden in Auckland on Tuesday night, some of the team’s players were seen snubbing coach Jorge Vilda to celebrate together rather than with him.
Given a revolt within the team less than a year ago, there is a good chance the snub was not accidental.
In September 2022, after Spain wrapped up their World Cup qualification campaign with a perfect eight wins without conceding a goal, more than a dozen players announced they would stand down from national duties.
The players, nicknamed Las 15, made themselves unavailable for selection for games in the lead up to the 2023 tournament.
Vilda had lost the dressing room, however, his response was not to stand down, or win his players back, but to move on without them.
Spain's Alexia Putellas has been named the best female footballer in the world for the past two seasons. Source: Getty / NurPhoto/NurPhoto
Conciliatory talks led to three players among 'Las 15' to turn out at the World Cup: Aitana Bonmati, Mariona Caldentey and Ona Batlle.
The others have not been considered, including Barcelona's two-time Champions League winners Patri Guijarro and Mapi Leon.
The issue came up again on the eve of Spain's biggest match in a generation: their clash with Sweden in Auckland to reach the final of the Women's World Cup.
After taking advice from his media adviser, Vilda sighed and responded as he'd done many times before.
"You're asking about the past," he told a press conference.
"I would like to indicate the backing and the support from the president (Royal Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales) ... a president who is reacting with courage.
Spanish coach Jorge Vilda celebrates with players and staff after the team beat Sweden in their Women's World Cup semi-final in Auckland on Tuesday night. Source: Getty / Maja Hitij/FIFA
"We are happy with the whole process, and have great unity."
Spain have closed ranks over the matter, with players also declining to dig into issues during the campaign.
Spain's 2-1 win over Sweden secured their spot in the final.
Australia's women's team is desperate to join them.
The Matildas play England in Sydney on Wednesday night, with the winner of that match heading to the final and the loser playing Sweden for third place in Brisbane on Saturday.
Additional reporting: Aleisha Orr
