Even in glorious triumph, sounds of disapproval rang out in Jorge Vilda’s direction.
As his players celebrated winning the World Cup for the first time after defeating England 1-0, boos rang out in the crowd when the jubilant Spain boss was pictured on the big screen being congratulated by Spain’s Queen Letizia at Stadium Australia.
Moments earlier, Vilda had looked up to the sky, raised his hands and screamed with joy when the referee ended the match to confirm Spain as world champions.
Controversy has followed Vilda at every turn of this tournament and even in victory there was no escape.
This will go down as one of the most remarkable triumphs in Women’s World Cup history, with Spain entering the tournament amid a backdrop of unrest and a number of players unhappy with Vilda, who had survived a player revolt to keep his job.
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) released a statement revealing that 15 players had submitted identical emails saying they would not play for Vilda unless “significant” concerns over their “emotional state” and “health” were addressed.
“Las 15”, as the players became known, denied claims they had asked for 42-year-old Vilda to be sacked, but tension followed amid reports of concern over training methods and inadequate game preparation.
Yet in Australia and New Zealand, his players put aside their differences to conquer the world in an impressive style at just their third World Cup, prompting Spain’s official Twitter account to post: ‘VILDA IN‘.
“The girls are eternal now and they have a star on their chest forever,” said Vilda. “It’s been very easy [to manage the group].
“We are a family, we are world champions with a family of players.”
Spain were made to wait before they could finally celebrate. After 13 minutes of stoppage time were signalled at the end of 90 minutes, it was not until the 105th minute that the referee brought the final to an end.
Some of Spain’s players were in disbelief as the magnitude of their achievement started to sink in. Others were in tears.
Spain came into the tournament missing some of their best talent due to the player revolt, including several members from Barcelona’s triumphant Champions League campaign like Mapi Leon, Patri Guijarro and Sandra Panos.
Three of the 15 selected were recalled after having been frozen out of the national set-up after a protest, including midfielder Aitana Bonmati and defender Ona Batlle, who both started all seven games in Australia and New Zealand.
When they lost 4-0 to Japan in their final group game, they looked a long way from being world beaters.
“No-one should lose hope,” said Vilda after that defeat in Wellington on 31 July.
“We have not seen the best Spanish team yet. This defeat hurts, the players are angry and I am convinced they will be better.”
After his side’s World Cup victory, Vilda described the Japan defeat as a “turning point”, adding: “It made us react, the team changed and the players increased their contributions. Mentally they were much stronger.
“I believe these reasons helped us reach the final and won the final.”
Indeed, Spain bounced back from that setback to defeat Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden to make the final.
Against European champions England, La Roja produced a tactical masterclass. Even after captain Olga Carmona’s winner, they enjoyed more possession and attempts on target.
“For me, it’s credit to those players,” former England striker Ellen White told BBC One. “To win a World Cup is just absolutely phenomenal.
“It takes a lot of guts, mentality, desire, hard work, togetherness. The way this Spanish team played today was just unbelievable.
“The way they moved the ball was just ridiculous.”
