When you go to bed with a World Cup trophy, you know you’re breathing lofty air.
After La Roja defeated England 1-0 on Sunday, that is exactly what Spain’s Jenni Hermoso did, mimicking what Lionel Messi did when Argentina won.
The forward uploaded a picture of herself cuddling up to the coveted cup following an extraordinary day that witnessed feelings of joy, rage, and discomfort.
69 minutes into the game, Hermoso had a chance to extend Spain’s lead, but Mary Earps’ superb save kept England in the match. At that point, the 33-year-old could only pray that the Lionesses wouldn’t take advantage.
After she won the golden glove in Australia, Nike is now dealing with calls to sell duplicate Earp’s jerseys after criticism over the fact that they weren’t accessible prior to the competition.
A further instance that perfectly captured the full-bloodedness of the match in Sydney was Hermoso’s response to England star Chloe Kelly following the penalty miss. Her response involved sticking her middle finger up at Kelly.
In the end, Hermoso was on the winning team as Spain held off England despite their best efforts. This was made possible, in part, by the referee’s decision to wave away a late challenge on Lauren James rather than awarding a free-kick.
But the narrative didn’t end there.
Hermoso received an uninvited kiss on the mouth as the Spanish athletes ascended the stage to go and lift the trophy.
Nobody else but the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s president, Luis Rubiales, who also gave her a smile and a hug, could have said it.
Hermoso stated that she “didn’t like it,” but Rubiales later attacked detractors, calling them “idiots” and called the criticism “friendly.”
“We cannot be distracted by idiocy when two people make a small display of affection.” He said to Radio Marca, “We are champions, and with that, I stay.”
Footage of him seemingly grabbing his testicles next to Spain’s Queen Letizia and her daughter Maria, 16, sparked additional outrage.
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that Spain won their first-ever women’s World Cup with outstanding soccer and that Hermoso played a significant role in that achievement, despite all the turmoil surrounding their higher-ups.
Any opportunity to catch some zzz’s is one that should be taken, and doing so when the World Cup is on isn’t too bad.