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James McIndoe trolled Fox News' Pete Hegseth for an entire segment.

With so much still unsaid around this Spain team, three statements over the last 48 hours stood out all the more, that illustrate much of the story of their Women’s World Cup run. One was Tere Abelleira immediately after the semi-final victory over Sweden in Auckland. “Now we can talk about a ferocious team spirit,” she said. It was as the midfielder was saying this in the Eden Park mixed zone that Jenni Hermoso was striding behind and shouting: “Come on! We’re in the final of the f***ing World Cup!” That is now the most important fact of all. It was amid this mood of jubilation, however, that the abrasive Spanish federation boss Luis Rubiales came out with something that was much more open to dispute. “What we have endured is a lot,” said Rubiales. “That questions have been asked of Jorge Vilda, who is a hard-working man, a world-class coach, who has turned down other federations that have offered more money and stayed with Spain. We have stuck with those who have always wanted to be here, that have valued the great work that he has done to grow, and we have forgotten the people with resentments. He has continued working with his people and not paid attention to those who wanted to destroy him.” It was the first time at this World Cup that anyone in the camp has publicly raised the squad mutiny that has shaped Spain’s entire run, since most of it has been set aside in an uneasy truce. The description of “people with resentments” sounds like the most cavalier way to blow all this up, especially as the biggest game of all remains. While that “ferocious team spirit” should be more than enough to keep Spain together through the build-up, there is still the possibility for a huge fall-out if this team is defeated by England on Sunday. Rubiales’ words only add another edge to a situation that is already hugely complicated, both in terms of how it came to this and how everyone is dealing with it. It is not just about Vilda, although he is the most public face, visibly ignored by some players in victory but embraced by others. The 15 players who last year sent the email resigning from the national team – with the tacit support of Alexia Putellas, Jenni and Irene Paredes – had several complaints. Most focused on how oppressively disciplinarian Vilda’s managerial regime was but they were also unhappy about how outdated the entire international set-up seemed. Some of the arrangements, like travelling long distances on bus or not having staff in certain key roles, fell well below their club standards. They did not feel any of this gave them the best possible chance of fulfilling a generation of talent. Unsaid but undeniably perceived by so many around the situation is that some of the players do not think Vilda is a good enough manager. There is at least a fair argument to this, even as Rubiales protested he is “a world-class coach”. Many would certainly dispute that. That Vilda has such a strong relationship with Rubiales is just another complication. With the federation risking the chance of a generation, and some players realising the same, overtures were made. Hermoso and Paredes returned, opening a way back. The federation’s director of women’s soccer, Ana Alvarez, met with every single player individually over May and June. All complaints were heard. Only some players were accepted back, and that involved having to send an email declaring their willingness to be called up again. They were Ona Batlle, Mariona Caldentey and – above all – Aitana Bonmati, perhaps the best player in the world right now. Vilda decided to stick with the players involved in preparation for this World Cup, just as Rubiales decided to stick with him. It has resulted in a squad that is partly made up of rebels and replacements. Some have set aside grievances for the greater good. Others are grateful to Vilda for persisting with them. All have overlooked this for the time being, which was why Rubiales so abrasively addressing it before the final is such a risk. It has only complicated already conflicted feelings around this Spain team. A growing view at this World Cup and back home in Spain has been that most support the players but do not want the national team to win because that is a vindication for the federation and Vilda. It doesn’t help Rubiales that he is not a popular figure, commonly seen as one of the most divisive in Spanish sport. There is also some inevitable backlash against the players, since there is the constant threat of the issue getting subsumed into the usual culture wars, but this is where the general public parking of the mutiny has at least offered something like a positive. One figure with insight into the situation spoke of how there can be internal conflict for some players, too. They want to do the best for themselves, but know that every success makes the federation and the manager look good. For the moment, at least, it has been a more unusual example of the classic dynamic of adversity creating success. There has also been compromises and common ground. Vilda’s staff have softened some approaches. The federation has listened and acted on other concerns, such as the willingness to move camp when the players were bored out of their minds in Palmerstown North. Some of Vilda’s calls have worked, such as bringing teenage sensation Salma Paralluelo on as a substitute to break games. Others would say that’s just an obvious move. There is also a more obvious fact here. In a historic football shift that long preceded Rubiales, and greatly influenced the English Football Association, Spain were one of the first wealthy western European football cultures to implement the kind of coaching revolutions that has characterised the modern game. The country industrialised talent production, while going further than most similar federations in underpinning it with a defined football identity. While that has almost come back on itself in the men’s game, creating this self-repeating and now almost self-defeating cycle of the ball endlessly getting circulated, the more developmental stage of women’s football means it can be much more effective. Spain are one of the few teams at this World Cup with such an ingrained style, made in Barcelona, that goes much deeper than any coaching decision. The wider national coaching structure has meanwhile honed the natural talent of stars like Putellas and Bonmati, producing elite athletes that also have that resilience that has been so apparent at this World Cup. The likelihood is that this supersedes any of Vilda's decisions. The squad’s mentality has helped, which is why they didn’t buckle after the collapse against Japan during the group stage. In a strange way, that 4-0 defeat might even have served them, helping to solve further tactical issues. Bonmati even said at the time “this is going to unite us more than ever”. It could mean Spain become the only world champions in either men’s or women’s football to have also lost by more than three goals in the same competition, other than West Germany 1954. Japan 2011 are the only previous Women’s World Cup winners to have even lost a game, adding one other little twist. There is then one final layer. It was the frustration at a defeat to England in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals that brought all this to a head. It is now an even bigger game against England that might fully illustrate how they have adapted. A lot may remain unsaid after Sunday but, to use an old Spanish football saying, some of the truth will be on the pitch. Read More England stand on the brink of history – and a moment to change the game forever Jess Carter: Prospect of facing Spain in World Cup final will not sway my nerves England Captain Millie Bright: ‘Lionesses need to play the game of our lives’ England stand on the brink of history – and a moment to change the game forever Jess Carter: Prospect of facing Spain in World Cup final will not sway my nerves England Captain Millie Bright: ‘Lionesses need to play the game of our lives’

Manchester United look to capitalise on their narrow Premier League win to open the season and retain their perfect start when they travel to Tottenham. Raphael Varane’s strike was enough on Monday to secure a 1-0 win, despite Wolves wasting chances and being denied a penalty late on. Erik ten Hag will look to see more chemistry between Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, while Spurs boss Ange Postecoglu will be encouraged by his side’s display at Brentford. Without Harry Kane, the Australian will hope the likes of Son Heung-min, James Maddison and Richarlison lead this new era in north London. Here’s everything you need to know about the fixture: When is Tottenham vs Man Utd? Tottenham vs Man Utd is due to kick-off at 5.30pm on Saturday 19 August at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on the channels from 5pm. Subscribers can stream the game via the Sky Go app. Team news Christian Romero has recovered from a head injury, but Spurs will likely be without Bryan Gil (groin), Rodrigo Bentancur (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Fraser Forster (back) and Alfie Whiteman (ankle). Tanguy Ndombele could be overlooked once again too, although this looks like a tactical call from Postecoglu. Lisandro Martinez is a doubt with an ankle injury, meaning Victor Lindelof could step in for the Argentine. Rasmus Hojlund (back), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Amad Diallo (knee) and Tom Heaton (calf) are all set to miss out here. But former Spurs man Christian Eriksen could factor into Ten Hag’s plans after the disjointed partnership of Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes in midfield against Wolves. Predicted line-ups Tottenham XI: Vicario; Emerson, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Skipp, Maddison; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son. Man Utd XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Fernandes, Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Rashford, Sancho. Odds Tottenham win 9/5 Draw 11/4 Man Utd win 13/10 Sign up to bet365 using The Independent’s unique bonus code by clicking here Prediction Look for goals here. Spurs 2-2 Man Utd Read More Welcome to the remodelling of Mason Mount Harry Maguire must ‘fight for his position’ after rejecting move away from Man Utd Mason Greenwood timeline: How the Manchester United star fell from grace Fulham vs Brentford LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

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England batsman Harry Brook has revealed his frustration at being left out of the squad for this...

World-record holder Ryan Crouser needed only one attempt to advance to the shot put finals at world championships, where he’ll seek to defend his title

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou gives a promising update on Cristian Romero after the World Cup winner was taken off with a suspected concussion against Brentford.

'The one woman on the side of the podium on Sunday had no idea the man was a man,' April Hutchinson said

The Longhorn Network that launched in 2011 is coming to a close

It’s easy to understand why Gail Newsham can’t stop grinning as she prepares for England’s soccer team to play in the final of the Women’s World Cup