Spain World Cup heroes take the field, defiant and unbowed

Spain and Switzerland players posed before Tuesday's match with a banner speaking to their collective power and push for change.CORDOBA, Spain -- The focus finally returned to the pitch on Tuesday as World Cup winners Spain ended a remarkable month by showing off the trophy they won in Australia in August in front of a record domestic attendance, hammering Switzerland 5-0 and being celebrated by supporters for being more than just footballers. "You weren't able to just be football players," read one banner among many at the Estadio Nuevo Arcángel in Cordoba. "Now you are legends."

Prior to the match, captains Irene Paredes and Alexia Putellas had hoisted the trophy aloft in front of the…