Women's National Teams

MADRID — Spanish soccer boss Luis Rubiales refused to quit on Friday for kissing star player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's Women's World Cup victory, fuelling anger among players and government ministers who decried his actions as unacceptable macho behavior.

The government cannot sack Rubiales, who is head of the independent Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). But it will seek to suspend him using a legal procedure before a sports tribunal, the head of the state-run sports council, Victor Francos, told reporters.

MADRID — Spanish football federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales plans to resign on Friday after FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against him over his unsolicited kiss on the mouth of player Jenni Hermoso during celebrations after Spain's Women's World Cup victory, Cadena Ser radio reported on Thursday.

Rubiales has been under fire after kissing Hermoso on the lips while handing the team their medals after they beat England 1-0 in the final in Sydney on Sunday.

Lindsey Horan had strong words about the United States women’s national team’s coaching staff and their World Cup failure when she sat down with her former teammates Christen Press and Tobin Heath on The RE-CAP Show.

Horan discussed that the team wasn’t set up for success at the tournament, had no joy throughout and dropped a bombshell about the team’s tactics during the Round of 16 loss vs. Sweden.

MADRID — The Spanish soccer federation chief's public apology for his unsolicited kiss of national player Jenni Hermoso during celebrations of Spain's victory in the Women's World Cup was "not enough", Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday.

The incident - which happened as Luis Rubiales handed the women's team gold medals after they beat England 1-0 in the final on Sunday - sparked outrage within and outside Spain, with many, including ministers, demanding Rubiales' resignation.

Spain beat England 1-0 on Sunday in a Women's World Cup final that pitted the two European countries with the strongest domestic leagues against each other.

The Women's World Cup, which began in 1991, has had nine tournaments to date. Meanwhile, men's world cup, started in 1930, has had 22 tournaments so far. 

Here is a comparison between men's and women's soccer over the years.

Men's Versus Women's Soccer Money Comparison

Highest World Cup Prize Purse

Spain defeated England 1-0 in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday in Sydney, Australia, and became world champions for the first time in their history.

Olga Carmona’s strike in the 29th minute proved to be the difference. The 23-year-old fullback had a perfect low effort into the bottom corner that Golden Glove winner Mary Earps couldn’t keep out.

OLGA CARMONA HAS DONE IT!

SPAIN TAKES THE 1-0 LEAD pic.twitter.com/zqJBDRXngJ

BRISBANE — Sweden picked up their fourth Women's World Cup bronze medal on Saturday after goals from Fridolina Rolfo and Kosovare Asllani gave them a 2-0 win over co-hosts Australia in the third-place playoff match at Lang Park in Brisbane.

The Swedes, ranked third in the world, were awarded a penalty in the 28th minute after a VAR review showed Australia defender Clare Hunt clipped Stina Blackstenius' heels, and forward Rolfo slotted home the resulting spot kick.

The Women’s World Cup final will have American representation despite the game being between Spain and England.

The referee crew for the Women’s World Cup final has three Americans with Tori Penso being the head referee. Her two lineswoman and fellow Americans are Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt.

Women’s World Cup final referee

pic.twitter.com/r0VT9oNNIW

Vlatko Andonovski is set to resign as the head coach of the United States women’s national team this week as first reported by Lizzy Becherano and Emily Keogh of 90min.

Let’s be honest here, if he wasn’t resigning then he would surely be getting the boot after leading the USWNT to their worst Women’s World Cup finish in history. The Round of 16 defeat to Sweden on penalty kicks stings, but overall, the campaign was a failure.

SYDNEY — England reached their first Women's World Cup final after beating Australia 3-1 on Wednesday despite a wonder goal from Matildas striker Sam Kerr as the co-hosts' fairytale run came to an end.

After falling at the semi-final stage in the previous two World Cups, England will face Spain on Sunday looking to add a world title to last year's European Championship triumph.

Attacking midfielder Ella Toone gave England a first-half lead to silence the crowd of 75,784.

THE LIONESSES LEAD