World Cup a triumph for La Roja, women

The success of the ninth edition of Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which ended last Sunday, has displayed just how rapidly women’s football has advanced in recent years and the huge crowds that attended the tournament have to be a good omen for the future.

The high standard of play impressed many and the presence of several teams capable of challenging the traditional favourites USA certainly made it the most exciting tournament in women’s football history.

Another encouraging sign is that the lower-level teams are closing the gap, many of the unfancied countries giving a good account of themselves.

New champions Spain should be congratulated on their fine performance coming as it did with an extraordinarily uncomfortable relationship between the players and unpopular coach Jorge Vilda.

It must be the first time the winning coach in a…