Who’s rooting for Spain to reign? The WAGs and HABs – including another sports star who plays for her country – who will cheer the ‘red furies’ on against the Lionesses in Sunday’s World Cup Final

• England and Spain face-off for glory on Sunday in Sydney, Australia at 11am BST
• READ MORE: King Charles sends his ‘warmest congratulations’ to the Lionesses and wishes them good luck ahead of their historic World Cup final match against Spain on Sunday

As the Lionesses prepare for the World Cup 2023 final after smashing Australia on their own home turf to win 3-1 today, they face formidable opponents in the Spanish women’s team.

The squad, which features stars including Irene Paredes, Jennifer Hermoso and Alexia Putellas, is a tough opposition for England – and just like the Lionesses, they will have an enormous support team with them at Stadium Australia in Sydney to cheer them on as they battle it out to lift the trophy.

One of Spain’s biggest stars, Irene Guerrero, recently revealed how having the support and comfort of her partner helps her find a balance between focusing hard on the pitch and relaxing at home.

In an interview with the Guardian ahead of the tournament, she said: If the mind isn’t right the rest won’t follow. Some manage that internally, some externalise it more. 

‘In my case, I seek refuge at home, in my partner who is always there, always on the phone whatever time it is, if I need a word of support or something to make me see things differently.’

As the Lionesses prepare to take on Spain in the World Cup Final 2023 in Sydney, Australia this Sunday, FEMAIL reveals the glamorous partners who will be cheering on Spain from the sidelines (pictured: Esther Gonzalez and her partner Estefania Cruz)

While Guerrero remained tight-lipped on the identity of her partner, several of her teammates have decided to make their relationships public – and often credit their loving partners with supporting them through the ups and downs of the game.

Here, FEMAIL reveals some of the Spanish players’ devoted partners who will be screaming from the sidelines on Sunday…

Lucia Ybarra – wife of Irene Paredes

Irene Paredes and Lucia Ybarra married in June 2021 and welcomed their son Matthew in September that same year

Lucia Ybarra is married to Irene Paredes, and the couple share a son named Matthew, who was born in September 2021, three months after they tied the knot.

No stranger to the pressure of international sporting tournaments, Lucia is also an athlete and plays for Spain’s national hockey team. She also has an identical twin sister, Rocío, who made the team and represented Spain at the 2004, 2008 ans 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Between them, Irene and Lucia make a formidable sporting team, with the hockey player being part of the team that won the Euro Hockey Indoor Championships, just four months after having Matthew.

The couple are based in Barcelona where they enjoy family Sundays together despite their busy schedules, and for European Mother’s Day in June this year, Irene posted a sweet series of photos on Instagram of the couple out for an al fresco lunch with Matthew and their boxer dog.     

Cristina Monléon – partner of Alba Redondo

Cristina Monléon (right) is a mother-of-one and a university professor who worls as a personal trainer for the Spanish national team

Shortly before the tournament, Cristina revealed she and Alba had had matching tattoos of footballs on their wrists

Cristina Monléon has been in a relationship with Spanish forward Alba Redondo for around a year.

The mother-of-one is a university professor who also works as a personal trainer for the Spanish national team, according to her Instagram profile.

She often uses her Instagram account to pay tribute to Alba, once referring to her partner as her ‘lifesaver’.

As someone who works closely with the team, Cristina appears to be friends with Alba’s teammates and has been pictured beaming in snaps with players including Alexia Putellas.

Shortly before the Women’s World Cup began, Cristina posted a photo of the matching football tattoos she and her partner had had inked on their wrists.

She wrote: ‘I will be waiting for you. Let’s go with everything.’

Commenting on the snap, Alba said: ‘I love you. Without you it would not be possible.’ 

Ana Moreno – wife of Ivana Andrés

Ivana Andres and Ana Moreno have been married since June 2022, following a lavish ceremony in Valencia

The couple took a romantic trip away last summer after they tied the knot, where they took boat trips and hung out on the beach

Anabel Moreno has been married to Spanish defender and Real Madrid captain Ivana Andrés since last June.

The couple stunned in lace bridal gowns from Spanish wedding atelier Rosa Clará as they tied the knot at a beautiful ceremony in Valencia – with lots of fellow footballers among the guests. 

Posting a video from their big day on Instagram, Ivana wrote: ‘Thank you for making me the happiest woman on the planet.’

She also described her nuptials as ‘an unforgettable day, full of magic’.

Following the wedding, and amid Ivana’s club commitments, the couple took a relaxing yet glamorous holiday where they spent time on a yacht   

In February this year, Ivana announced on Instagram that Ana was pregnant with their first child. 

Sharing a sweet photo where both women were cradling Ana’s bump, Ivana wrote: ‘Today we want to share with everyone some very exciting news. We’re going to be mums!’

Estefanía Cruz – partner of Esther Gonzalez

Esther Gonzalez, Spain’s striker, is in a relationship with Estefanía Cruz who is a fellow fitness enthusiast

The very glamorous couple are in Australia together for the tournament and have recently opened a gym together

Esther Gonzalez is in a relationship with Estefanía Cruz, with whom she runs a gym called the goldness.

Just as fit and healthy as her striker partner, Estefanía often speaks on Instagram of how Esther gives her motivation in life.

In May, Estefanía posted a photo on Instagram of herself cuddling up to Esther, with the caption: ‘Thank you for making me better and for teaching me the best version of being alive.’

In another photo, in which the glamorous pair were dressed in red and black outfits, she wrote: ‘How beautiful it is to meet in life with people who help you understand it.’

She is currently in Australia while Esther represents their country in the World Cup and posted a sweet selfie of the couple last week following another Spain win.

She wrote: ‘Thank you for letting me live this beautiful craziness by your side.’

Israel Pérez – partner of Athenea del Castillo

Athenea del Castillo and Israel Perez are in a relationship and often share sweet selfies on Instagram

The couple have been togehter for several years and often share sweet smooching selfies on Instagram

Israel Pérez is the long-term partner of Athenea del Castillo. Describing himself as a football player on his Instagram account, it appears he plays as a defender for Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña.

The couple share sweet smooching selfies in glamorous locations and on lavish holidays – but overall, they do not reveal much information about each other.

Athenea’s fellow teammates often comment on Israel’s couple photos, sharing heart and fire emojis, which suggests the pair are a popular couple. 

It is unclear how long they have been togehter, but Athenea first appeared on Israel’s Instagram account in 2020. 

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