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Rubiales forced kiss could drive Spain on in Euro 2025 final: England's Toone / Photo: FRANCK FIFE - AFP/File
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Rubiales forced kiss could drive Spain on in Euro 2025 final: England's Toone
England's Ella Toone admits Spain may have extra motivation going into Sunday's final of the Women's Euro 2025 after their World Cup triumph two years ago was overshadowed by events at the end of the game in Sydney.
Spain beat England 1-0 in 2023 to win the Women's World Cup for the first time, with Olga Carmona scoring the only goal of the game.
However, the headlines later were dominated by the forced kiss by former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales on player Jenni Hermoso.
Rubiales was eventually fined 10,800 euros ($11,670) for sexual assault in February this year.
"It was a difficult period for the Spanish players and I think for what they did in the World Cup, for that to then be the main talking point, was really tough and something they shouldn't have had to go through," Toone told reporters in Zurich on Friday.
"They should have celebrated what was an amazing tournament for them."
Toone played in the World Cup final and is now hoping England can avenge their defeat that day, as well as repeat their victory in the final of the last European Championship in 2022.
"Both of us want to win obviously -- they have their reasons, we have ours and I think it is going to be a very tough game," said the 25-year-old Manchester United midfielder.
"We have so much respect for them and the quality they have, but we also believe in ourselves, that we can really step up."
England have made a third consecutive major tournament final off the back of two heart-stopping victories in the knockout rounds in Switzerland.
After coming back from two goals down late on to beat Sweden on penalties in the quarter-finals, they defeated Italy 2-1 in extra time in the last four.
The Lionesses were trailing in that game in Geneva until Michelle Agyemang's 96th-minute effort forced extra time. Chloe Kelly then converted the winner in the 119th minute as penalties loomed.
"I think we have it in us all individually and as a team that we want to fight, not stop running," said Toone, who scored England's first goal when they beat Germany 2-1 at Wembley in the Euro 2022 final.
"You have seen that in games where sometimes you might feel like we are down and out and it is 90-odd minutes and then someone comes on and we take that moment.
"We are competitive and we know what it takes to win and that is what has got us to a third consecutive final."
S.Cloutier--SMC
