Spain’s women’s national team continued its remarkable run of success Tuesday, defeating Germany 3-0 to secure thier third consecutive title in the Nations League at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. Spain, a nation steeped in soccer tradition, has seen its women’s program rise to global prominence in recent years, culminating in a 2023 World Cup victory and a string of League of Nations championships. The team’s ascent has been marked by both on-field brilliance and off-field challenges, including a recent overhaul in leadership and the reintegration of key players following a period of internal strife.
Spain’s women’s national team cemented their dominance in international soccer on Tuesday, securing their third consecutive title in the Nations League. The team defeated Germany 3-0 at the Metropolitano Stadium in front of a record crowd of 55,843, a testament to the growing popularity of the squad. This victory comes after conquering the 2023 World Cup and the inaugural two editions of the League of Nations in 2024 and 2025, though they fell short in a penalty shootout against England in the Eurocopa final last July.
Despite missing key midfielders Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro, and Tere Abelleira, Spain controlled the match against Germany. The triumph highlighted a new generation of talent stepping up for La Roja, and propelled them to the top of the FIFA rankings. This golden generation has fundamentally changed the landscape of Spanish soccer, attracting a massive fanbase, inspiring countless young girls to play, and achieving unprecedented professional conditions within the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF), an organization that historically marginalized and treated them as amateurs.
The victory over Germany produced several standout moments. Claudia Pina, 24, scored twice and was named Player of the Match, while 19-year-old Vicky López netted a spectacular goal with her left foot after a driving run. Both players earned their first-ever start in a final, representing the bright future of the team, which continues to find success at the youth levels. Another powerful image came as the players hoisted head coach Sonia Bermúdez onto their shoulders, celebrating her on the pitch. The scene, featuring a coach who played alongside many of the current internationals, contrasted sharply with the more distant relationship the team had with her predecessor, Montse Tomé.
Bermúdez has quickly connected with a team that struggled with some of Tomé’s decisions. She reinstated Jenni Hermoso, the team’s all-time leading scorer, who had been left off the roster by Tomé for the past year. While Hermoso’s role is now more of a supporting one, her teammates believe she still has plenty to offer a team that often forces opponents to pack their defense. Her exclusion from the team coincided with the investigation, trial, and sentencing related to the caso Rubiales, and some saw it as a punishment for the victim of a sexual assault who dared to speak out. “Jennifer Hermoso is a legend,” Bermúdez stated in her first press conference, signaling her intent to reintegrate the veteran star.
Bermúdez also welcomed back Mapi León, 30. The defender, a key figure in Barcelona’s recent success, had refused to play for Spain since September 2022 as part of a group of 15 players protesting the conditions within the program. “Being able to speak with Mapi was one of our priorities,” Bermúdez said in October.
The new coach has secured a title in just four matches – the semifinal against Sweden and the finals against Germany. Now, Spain will turn their attention to the qualifying stage – between March and June of next year – for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, where they will face England, the current European champions, in a match that is quickly becoming a defining rivalry. Iceland and Ukraine also feature in the group as Spain looks to defend the crown they won in 2023, a tournament that changed everything for the program.
The core of the national team includes established stars like Aitana (27), Mariona Caldentey (29), Ona Batlle (26), Olga Carmona (25), Laia Aleixandri (25), and Cata Coll (24). None of these players are approaching 30, and barring injuries, they are all expected to feature in the 2027 World Cup. The return of injured players will also be crucial in the coming months. Abelleira is expected to return to action with Real Madrid in 2026 after suffering a torn ACL in February, Patri and Salma will return to Barcelona in the coming weeks, and the reigning Ballon d’Or winner will be back on the pitch early in the upcoming season following surgery to repair a fractured fibula sustained on Sunday. They all represent a team that, as Alexia Putellas put it, wants to “continue inspiring”: “We’re reaching the final stages of every tournament, but the team isn’t focused on whether we’re legends or not.”
