Jenni Hermoso scores winner in first Spain appearance since 'Kissgate' scandal
Spain striker Jenni Hermoso scored a dramatic 89th-minute winner to mark her return to the national team for the first time since the 'Kissgate' scandal involving disgraced president Luis Rubiales.
Hermoso, 33, had not featured for Spain since the furore following the Women's World Cup final in which the team's historic success was overshadowed as former Spanish football federation (RFEF) chief Luis Rubiales kissed her on the lips during the medal presentation. The striker insists the kiss was not consensual.
She now plays for Mexican club side CF Pachuca yet was left out of new Spain manager Montse Tome's September squad. However, she was recalled for October's UEFA Nations League fixtures and bagged a last-gasp winner against Italy on Friday.
Arriving as a substitute for the world champions mid-way through the second-half, Hermoso ensured her first appearance since the summer's showpiece event would not go unnoticed as she fired home a rebound off Italy keeper Laura Giuliani following Alexia Putellas' late strike.
Rubiales resigned in September as his position proved untenable in the wake of outrage among players, government officials and wider society, though the 46-year-old has vociferously maintained the consensual nature of the kiss in front of Spain's High Court amid the ongoing probe into the incident.
Jake Paul calls on John Fury to make retirement bet for fight with son Tommy
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee handed Rubiales a three-year ban from all football-related activities at national and international levels on Monday after finding his actions at the Women's World Cup, which included grabbing his crotch in celebration at Spain's 1-0 victory over England, in contravention of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
Spain manager Tome, who was part of the backroom staff of former Spain boss Jorge Vilda, voiced her elation at Hermoso's goal in the aftermath of Friday's 1-0 win. “We’re all very happy because we were able to win and because she [Hermoso] scored that goal,” Tome said.
“When Italy closed down, when they got more into a low block, we needed someone else, like Jenni, in there. And she scored that goal, the goal that made us all very happy.”
Jenni Hermoso celebrates after providing the game-winning goal for Spain against Italy (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)She added: “I would also like to say how happy I am with that goal, considering the time she has spent on the pitch. We saw her smiling and I think everyone is smiling."
The September window was punctuated by ongoing issues surrounding alleged maltreatment of the women's team by the RFEF. The world champions threatened to boycott their national team duties while the current leadership of the federation remained in place, though legal action was subsequently threatened in reverse.
Even so, Spain have continued their winning form from the Women's World Cup as they sit top of their Nations League group with maximum points from three matches, with a clash against bottom-of-the-group Switzerland later this week.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
