2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final
Spain qualified for a big women's tournament in 1997 and reached the semi-finals in their first European Championship. They also made it to their first Women's World Cup in 2015. Their best result in the Women's World Cup before was getting to the round of 16 in 2019. Before the tournament started, Spain was ranked sixth in the FIFA Women's World Ranking. They were in group C with Costa Rica, Zambia, and 2011 champions Japan. In their first game of the World Cup against Costa Rica, there was an own goal from Costa Rican player Valeria del Campo. Then, Aitana Bonmatí and Esther González scored two more goals in four minutes, and Spain won 3–0. In their next game, Spain beat Zambia 5–0, with Teresa Abelleira scoring the opening goal in the ninth minute. Alba Redondo and Jennifer Hermoso also scored goals, and it was Jennifer Hermoso's 100th match. In the last group game against Japan, Spain lost 4–0, with two goals from Hinata Miyazawa. In the round of 16, Spain played against Switzerland, who won Group A. Aitana Bonmatí scored first, but then there was an own goal from Laia Codina that gave Switzerland a goal. Spain then scored three more goals in the first half to lead 4–1 at halftime. In the second half, Spain scored one more goal, and the match ended 5–1. In the quarter-finals, Spain played against the Netherlands. Mariona Caldentey scored from a penalty in the 81st minute to give Spain the lead. The Netherlands equalised later, and the game went into extra time. Salma Paralluelo scored the winning goal in extra time.