Olga Carmona’s 29th minute finish was enough to give Spain victory in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney. Mary Earps made a superb save to deny Jennifer Hermoso from the penalty spot for England at the start of the second half.
Sarina Wiegman tries to change England’s fortune with two halftime substitutions, bringing on Lauren James and Chloe Kelly for Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly. But it was to no avail.
Spain: Cata Coll
Taking the ball out to the left, Abelleira sends in a cross for Salma but she is unable to make contact. The ball then falls to Carmona who takes a low strike that flies past the reach of Earps and into the bottom corner of the net.
69 mins: Lauren James goes close for England with a languid strike from the edge of the penalty area but it is tipped over by Coll. Aitana Bonmati then hits a shot just over the bar.
Sarina Wiegman introduces Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly at half time but the Lionesses struggle to get any rhythm going. They are overpowered by Spain who win every second ball and are penned into their own box. It is another disappointing performance from the home side. The loss also leaves them without a major trophy in two years under Wiegman.
Spain: Salma Paralluelo
La Roja winger Salma Paralluelo is one of the breakout stars of this World Cup. The 19-year-old has been a key contributor for Spain since making her debut for the senior team in November.
The teenager is a double threat, competing in track and field as well as soccer. She has set under-20 records in the 400 meters and 400 hurdles.
It looked like history would repeat itself for Spain after they dominated and led against the Netherlands in their quarter-final, but Stefanie Van der Gragt’s stoppage-time equaliser sent it to extra time. But it was Paralluelo who stepped up to score the winner, converting from close range after Jenni Hermosa’s through ball found her in space. It was her first goal of the tournament. It helped Spain reach their first World Cup semi-final in 26 years.
Spain: Olga Carmona
Spain’s Olga Carmona scored the first goal 29 minutes into the final to secure a stunning victory for La Roja. It was the only goal of the game. Many doubted if Spain would even reach the final after their tumultuous qualifying campaign and a number of players leaving the team. However, Jorge Vilda’s team dominated throughout the tournament and secured the World Cup trophy!
Hemp tries to wriggle through the Spain defence but is brought down and she can’t get enough power on her shot to trouble Cata Coll. Spain’s Ona Batlle then looks for a cross from the right but her effort is blocked by a well-positioned Bright.
Spain: Mariona Caldentey
Spain defender Mariona Caldentey was one of the outstanding performers in the tournament. Her 1-vs-1 defending has improved leaps and bounds since she first joined the squad this year. Her positioning is spot-on and she has a high work rate on the ball.
She combines well with her team-mates and she is an excellent outlet on the right flank. She can also play the full-back role when required.
England are denied a second goal when Hermoso misses from the penalty spot after being brought down by Walsh. Earps dives low to her left to deny her and keep the score at 1-0!
Spain: Aitana Bonmati
Spain’s Aitana Bonmati capped off an impressive tournament with the Golden Ball. The Barcelona midfielder led her team from the centre of the park and was a key reason behind the nation’s success in Australia and New Zealand.
She pried open England with her metronomic rhythm, sublime fluidity and ruthless passing. She was also a real threat going forward and should be one of the contenders for 2023’s Ballon d’Or.
She sparked the revolution by becoming the first player to win Women’s World Cups at under-17, Under-20 and senior level. She will go down as a hugely important figure in the history of the game and deservedly won the tournament’s Golden Ball. Her team-mate Mary Earps also won the Golden Glove. Both players were exemplary throughout.
Spain: Lucy Bronze
Bronze has been key for England throughout their run at this tournament. Her intelligent and thoughtful distribution has been crucial to their progress through the knockout stages.
Spain have a chance to seal the win with a late penalty after Keira Walsh is brought down by Hermoso. But the Barcelona striker’s effort is smothered by a great save from Earps.
The England keeper continues to make strong saves as she keeps her side in the match. She comes up big to deny Batlle who gets the ball after a brilliant one-two with Jess Carter. More space for Kelly down the right but her cross is easily cleared. Bethany England comes on for Ella Toone.
Spain: Jess Carter
Jess Carter, from Warwick Castle, has been a key player in England’s thrilling run to the final. The defender has been playing in the back-three and she has excelled on the pitch. She is one of the few black players in this England squad and her story has helped to raise awareness for the issues around diversity in football.
She is in a relationship with Chelsea teammate Ann Katrin Berger, who was diagnosed with multiple cancers earlier this year. Her mental strength has been evident throughout this tournament.
Almost two million fans have flocked to Stadium Australia for the co-host tournament, but interest was expected to dip after hosts Australia were eliminated in the semi-finals. Spain will be hoping to revive interest in the game with victory over England. It would be the first time that a country has won both men’s and women’s World Cup titles.
Spain: Lauren Hemp
Hemp, who plays at North Walsham Football Club, was in the thick of England’s best attacking moments during the final. But the winger couldn’t quite find her way through a stifling Spain defence as they smothered the Lionesses.
At half time, Sarina Wiegman changed England’s formation, bringing on Chloe Kelly and Lauren James for Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly. Hemp found more space and was the source of some of England’s best attacks in the second half, but she couldn’t find the breakthrough.
Hemp was involved in a tussle with Barcelona’s top scorer Batlle as they both tried to break through the other side of the defence. The pair are two of the most exciting wingers in the world and this was a fascinating duel to watch. But Batlle’s excellent penalty was saved by Earps. It was an agonising moment for Hemp and her team-mates.
Spain: Ella Toone
A solid performer for England this tournament but struggles to cope with Spain’s high-pressure defence. She will need to work much harder to get on the ball against this team.
She tries to wriggle her way through the Spain press but Hermoso puts a strong challenge on her. The referee keeps her onside though.
Hermoso attempts to double the Spanish lead with a low shot but Mary Earps anticipates well to save it.
The last time these two teams met, Esther Gonzalez’s fizzed strike gave Spain the lead at Brighton’s Amex Stadium before Georgia Stanway rescued a point for the Lionesses in extra time. They could be facing a similar scenario here, but manager Sarina Wiegman’s decision to bring on Toone at halftime may prove crucial. Her dynamism will help to stretch a tiring opposition defence.
Spain: Alessia Russo
Spain’s Alessia Russo is finding lots of space as she makes runs from the centre towards the wings. England’s defence is holding firm though.
Halftime!
Spain lead the way in Sydney thanks to Olga Carmona’s goal. The defender’s surging run and finish into the bottom corner puts the defending champions ahead in their first Women’s World Cup final.
England’s Sarina Wiegman responded with two halftime substitutions and a formation switch from her auxiliary 3-5-2 to the standard 4-2-3-1. But the changes were not enough to halt La Roja’s march.
Spain get a penalty after a lengthy VAR review. But Keira Walsh’s dive in the box is not enough to give the referee cause for concern. Jenni Hermoso takes the spot kick but Mary Earps leaps to her left to make the save. 1-0 Spain. Spain win the Women’s World Cup.
