The women's game in Spain has never been more in the spotlight.
The new football world champions won against all the odds, but it's also highlighted just how much still needs to be done – at the professional and amateur level – to reach equality within the game itself.
"There is a lot of hope because in recent years we have seen progress been made, but we also feel that we are not in the place we deserve to be," midfielder Maria Lazaro tells CGTN. She has been playing for clubs like Atletico Madrid and is now part of the Carabanchel Football School in the south of the Spanish capital.
"What I am is saying is that it's a constant struggle – not just on the football fields, but you can also see it also at the workplace and in certain social situations.’'
Maria Lazaro is fed up with being unequally treated in football. /Rodriguez/CGTN
Grassroots women's football is where it all begins for those aspiring to replicate their world cup heroines. Carabanchel has women's teams of all ages. Clubs like this one have helped increase female participation in the game. There are now nearly 10,000 registered players in the capital alone.
But the women's professional game is still in its infancy. Their league was only established four years ago. The majority of players, like Maria Lazaro, say they still need to work full-time to pursue their dream in sport.
More and more girls are joining footballs clubs across Spain. /Rodriguez/CGTN
The professional league minimum wage structure illustrates the pay difference. According to LFP Spain, an entry-level professional in the men's game earns $203,000 per year. That's at nearly 12 times their female counterparts, who earn roughly $17,000.
Many observers have also felt the fight against inequality is not just restricted to economics.
The actions of Spanish Federation President Luis Rubiales during the post-match celebrations came in for huge criticism. Ahead of the trophy presentation, he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips, in what was seen as a completely inappropriate gesture – one for which he has since apologized.
Federation president Luis Rubiales kissed Spain's Jennifer Hermoso after the match. /Hannah Mckay/Reuters
"I think it was totally out of line," says football journalist Miguel Angel Diaz. "The President of the Federation is the highest authority figure in the Spanish football, so I think his behavior was just wrong. You can't kiss a player, even if it was in a celebration, right after winning a World Cup. He made a major mistake there."
The success of the national team on the pitch is likely to mark a turning point in the women's game that could attract larger audiences and more sponsors.
Players like Maria Lazaro will also be hoping that it can bring a more level playing field between the men and women's game here in Spain.
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