Spain return to action for the first time since winning the World Cup and just days after ending their boycott in the wake of the Luis Rubiales kiss-gate scandal… as opponents Sweden show solidarity with them before kick-off

World Cup winners Spain are back in action for the first time since ending the Luis Rubiales boycott and the kiss-gate controversy.

Returning to football matters, they faced Sweden in their opening match of the UEFA Women’s Nations League, after meeting with the Spanish Football Federation earlier in the week.

The players spent five hours in discussions with officials on Tuesday, where all but two players ultimately agreed to end the boycott and declared themselves available for the national team.

Only defender Mapi Leon and midfielder Patri Guijarro – both of whom also missed the World Cup after refusing to play – decided to walk away from the squad, while the rest of the players joined new coach Montse Tome for the match in Sweden.

Seven of the players who started the World Cup final were named in the starting line-up, and before the match their opponents showed their solidarity with their counterparts by posing together next to a banner that read #SeAcabo – which translates to ‘It’s past’.

Before the match, the Swedish players posed with their opponents and a banner of solidarity

Spanish boss Montse Tome took charge of her first game after Jorge Vilda’s dismissal

While Spain’s players posed with clenched fists in their pre-match photo in a sign of their global fight.

Tome, who succeeded Jorge Vilda after the World Cup after complaints from the team about his coaching methods, chose her team despite the players announcing their intention to strike following last month’s kissing scandal involving Luis Rubiales.

The president of the Spanish Football Federation was seen kissing striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips during post-match celebrations following Spain’s first World Cup win in August, sparking weeks of criticism of his behaviour.

Athenea del Castillo (centre) celebrates scoring the opener for Spain in their Nations League match against Sweden

Rubliales ultimately resigned after the incident and is now accused of assault and coercion.

However, after the seven-hour meeting that lasted until almost 5 a.m. on Wednesday, 20 of Tome’s 22 players agreed to end the boycott of the national team.

Spain took the lead in their first game as world champions, with Athenea del Castillo opening the scoring, before taking the lead again thanks to a goal from former Chelsea defender Magdalena Eriksson.

After Sweden, Spain will take on Switzerland on Tuesday in their first home match since winning the tournament in Australia.