Spain defeat Germany to claim second women's Nations League crown
Spain retained their women's Nations League championship by securing a 3-0 victory in the second leg against Germany on Tuesday, after a 0-0 stalemate in the previous week's first encounter.
Claudia Pina netted a brace in the second half, sandwiching a goal from Vicky Lopez, to hand the 2023 World Cup champions their third major international honour.
A record-breaking attendance of 55,843 at Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano Stadium witnessed Sonia Bermudez's team lift the first trophy under the new manager's leadership.
Despite missing three-time Ballon d'Or recipient Aitana Bonmati, who suffered a leg fracture during Sunday's training session, Spain delivered a dominant performance in the capital to clinch the win.
The Euro 2025 finalists had depended on goalkeeper Cata Coll to preserve their chances in the opening leg at Kaiserslautern, yet they controlled proceedings against Christian Wueck's opponents in the crucial return fixture.
"Our sole aim was victory, and we achieved it," Pina shared with TVE.
"The team put on an excellent display overall, and we added another trophy to our collection," she added.
"(The atmosphere was) incredible, the supporters who always back us turned up in force, without their energy the success would not have happened."
Esther Gonzalez narrowly missed with an early shot, while Ann-Katrin Berger denied Alexia Putellas's header.
Coll thwarted two long-range attempts from Germany, as Spain maintained dominance.
Arsenal's creative midfielder Mariona Caldentey spurned two opportunities in the opening period, volleying over from a promising position and blasting another straight at Berger.
Germany's Nicole Anyomi came closest before half-time, but her effort drifted just wide of the target.
The away side began the second half assertively as well, until Pina put Spain in front in the 61st minute.
The Barcelona attacker linked up with Caldentey before rifling the ball into the net from outside the penalty area. Berger managed a touch but could not prevent the goal.
Her young Barcelona colleague Lopez made it two with a sublime curling finish beyond Berger seven minutes later, after nearly scoring with a comparable attempt earlier that sailed just high.
Pina sealed Spain's success with an impressive individual effort, regaining possession inside Germany's half, advancing purposefully, and smashing a stunning strike into the upper corner from range.
'Proud' Hermoso
Ex-Atletico and Barcelona forward Jenni Hermoso entered as a substitute for the last 10 minutes and expressed delight at adding another national team trophy.
Hermoso endured a non-consensual kiss on the lips from former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales after the 2023 World Cup triumph, sparking global condemnation.
Previous Spain manager Montse Tome excluded her from selections, but Bermudez brought Hermoso back for the Nations League semi-finals and final following a year on the sidelines.
"My beaming smile tells the story, returning to the fold, triumphing in my hometown alongside my loved ones and the entire group, delivering a spectacle, it is fantastic," Hermoso conveyed to TVE.
"I feel immense pride donning this jersey today, claiming a title, and continuing to relish the game."