Ivana Andrés, captain of a once-in-a-lifetime World Cup

The third time has been successful in every sense for Ivana Andrés Sanz, whose last name echoes strongly in this New Zealand Southern Hemisphere winter.

At the antipodes, the Valencian has managed to reverse the course of the two previous World Cup appointments and make her debut in the competition, also donning the captain's armband, during Spain's debut against Costa Rica.

From the well-deserved, awaited, and diligently earned recognition to her concerns over calf discomfort against Zambia, which prevented her from participating in the subsequent two matches while undergoing a meticulous recovery plan overseen by the team's medical services.

Finally, her decisive actions during extra time against the Netherlands contributed to achieving a historic qualification for the semifinals, occurring on Ivana's 50th international match. Throughout this World Cup, Ivana has been able to enjoy the unwavering support offered from afar by her wife Ana and their daughter.

A whirlwind of personal emotions, including her contributions as a distinguished columnist in the press during the tournament, in addition to the colossal challenges in the sporting arena for a player whose heart, both on and off the field, is capable of surmounting whatever challenges arise.