The Spanish women's national team asserted themselves by defeating Portugal 7-1 in a Nations League qualifying match.
In this match, a historic event occurred that highlights the influence FC Barcelona has in the boom of women's soccer in Spain.
Barça Makes History with the National Team
In Madrid, they talk about a "new dimension" and a "historic event" referring to Real Madrid's first victory in a clásico. But the truth is that the history is made by Barça. Also with Spain.
For the first time in history, Spain took the field with a starting eleven composed of the present and past of Barça. Eight players from the current Barça and three others with a recent past at Barça.
Barça DNA, Winning DNA. That's why Spain is the world champion and Nations League champion. That's why Barça wins the Champions League and everything in front of them in Spain.
Real Madrid insists that the gap is closing. But five years later, the white team hasn't managed to place any of its players in Spain's starting eleven. That is the true reality of Spanish women's soccer.
The Spanish coach, Montse Tomé, is clear. If Barça dominates in Spain and Europe, the Spanish national team will also do so if they tap into Barça's potential.
8 from Now and 3 from Before
In the 7-1 against Portugal, Spain took the field with Cata Coll, Jana Fernández, Irene Paredes, Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, Claudia Pina, and Salma Paralluelo. Eight Barça starters.
But the remaining three were Mariona Caldentey, with a ten-year past at Barça. And completing her first season at Arsenal.
Leila Ouahabi, now at Manchester City. And Laia Aleixandri also at City and with a strong desire to return to Barça next season.
This is how superiority is consolidated. With good foreign players and well-developed youth academies. The rest is pure marketing that needs referee favors to establish itself.