This time Jenni Hermoso did not cry with Alexia Putellas. But both hugged each other again. “I think I used up all the tears the other day. I am empty in this sense. We are in the final of the World Cup. This goes for all who have believed. For all those who have supported us. Nothing can take away this face of happiness”, outlined the Madrid striker who, at the age of 33, finally had a thorn removed. “This will not be forgotten in our entire lives. We have given up many things. Hopefully everyone can feel what I feel today”, said Hermoso. In the background, Mariona Caldentey was seen consoling Rölfo, her teammate in Barcelona. Also Aitana Bonmatí. The Blaugrana, a clear candidate for the Ballon d’Or, exchanged her shirt with the Swedish one and put it on. “This team has learned to enjoy and to suffer”, diagnosed Aitana Bonmatí, especially euphoric with the goal scored by Salma Paralluelo, Spain’s great shocker. “I always tell him that he has to mark with the right to be more complete” said Aitana. “And I succeeded”, Salma replied, with a bright look. “It was a very hard match. Especially when we’ve been tied. But we knew we could come back. This team can do it all”, he added with a powerful smile. It thus indicated that the instinct to overcome is not only in the field.
Salma scored the first. The second was by Olga Carmona in the final bars. He saved Spain from extra time in the 89th minute. “I had never experienced something like this. They all threw themselves at me and Alba Redondo told me that she will make me a monument”, added the captain, who collapsed to the floor with a cry of rage. “I jumped to hug her despite being on the bench. It hurts me so much that it can’t be done. Olga has a spectacular shot”, explained Alba Redondo. On the sideline Jorge Vilda celebrated with his technical team first and with Jenni Hermoso and Laia Codina afterwards. The coach stood between the two to celebrate a historic milestone. “You have put a country on its feet. Now it is necessary to take him to the street”, harangued the selector.
The most sincere hug he received was undoubtedly that of Luis Rubiales, the president of the RFEF. His great advocate. The coach’s shield after the controversial letter sent by the 15 internationals in September declaring that they could not be summoned. Improvements and more professionalism were demanded behind this decision. It was an email that changed everything. Minus the selector. “We have endured many things. The personal issues of a man with beastly ability have been called into question. He gave up being in other selections for more money and stayed in Spain. And in the RFEF we have stayed with those who want to build”, he added referring, perhaps, to Aitana, Ona Batlle and Mariona, three of the fifteen players who decided to return. “When we arrived at the RFEF, there were 40,000 federated girls, now there are 100,000. There were no medical bodies and the technicians did not have a contract. The federation made the most important investment of all the federations”, said Rubiales. “We did a great job together. It was a great and joint hit”, added Vilda, gratefully.
And Sunday? “It can be a great day”, warned Aitana. “We will work to achieve it”, promised Jenni Hermoso. “We have to dream big”, added Salma. “My hair stands on end,” said Vilda.
