Jenni Hermoso reappeared on the field this Sunday, three weeks after becoming world champion with her country and the unwanted protagonist of the controversy that has turned soccer in Spain upside down.
On the same day that in Spain the president of the Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, resigned due to a scandal for kissing Hermoso without his consent at the World Cup award ceremony, the player received a tribute and played in the last 11 minutes of the victory with which his team rose from tenth to sixth place in the standings. In Rubiales' release statement there was no mention of Hermoso.
When it seemed that Hermoso would remain on the bench, coach Juan Carlos Cacho warmed up the Spaniard, who caused an earthquake in the fans when she stepped onto the grass again with 11 minutes left. The 6,542 fans cheered Jenni Hermoso on his return in the match in which his team, Pachuca, beat the Pumas 2-1 in the Apertura 2023 women's soccer tournament in Mexico.
The Tuzas, boosted by the return of the world champion, won the duel with scores from Panama's Marta Cox and an own goal from Dirce Delgado. Desiree Monsiváis scored for the Pumas. The result of the tenth day of the Apertura 2023 tournament raised the Tuzas from tenth to sixth place to return to the fight for the title.
Cox's goal, as reported by EFE, was the most emotional since after scoring, the World Cup player with Panama approached the Tuzas substitutes who were warming up on one of the wings to hug Jenni and celebrate with her.
Before the game, Hermoso was greeted with a hallway and applause from the players of both teams and the Pachuca board gave her details such as a painting of her with the world title. Excited, the player thanked with applause.
In the stands, a poster with an image of Hermoso at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand was spread, with the help of fans, some of whom wore the jersey of the Spanish team.
