Jenni Hermoso: Glory, adversity and a cause that still burns

In the moment of her greatest triumph, Spain’s World Cup winner became the focal point of football’s battle against misogyny

Pachuca's Spanish midfielder Jenni Hermoso smiles after being honoured for her World Cup title before the women's Mexican football league match against Pumas at the Hidalgo stadium in Pachuca, Hidalgo State, Mexico, on September 10, 2023. Pic: JAIME LOPEZ/AFP via Getty Images

On October 27, 2023, 21 minutes after stepping onto the pitch with a star above the badge on the shirt of her national team for the first time, Jenni Hermoso screamed with cathartic energy. It was the talismanic two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas who had wriggled free in the box and had a shot pushed away by Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani, but it was Hermoso who was there to follow it up, stood unmarked a few feet to the left of the penalty spot, sweeping into the far corner. She raced away, two big low fist pumps accompanied her howl of relief, defiance, and celebration.

Hermoso’s 89th minute strike meant Spain won their third Nations League game 1-0 to maintain their unbeaten start to their campaign but that goal meant so much more than three points on the road towards Olympic qualification, so much more in the context of her extraordinary, challenging, epoch-making year.