On Sunday, two nations had the opportunity to win their first-ever Women’s World Cup. And it was Spain who experienced this immense joy by winning by the narrowest of margins against England (1-0) in Sydney. Olga Carmona once again became the Spanish heroine by scoring the only goal of the match. La Roja took the lead in the 29th minute and never let go.
Spain climbs to the top of the world
La Roja won their first major international final by defeating England on the narrowest of margins (1-0) in Sydney on Sunday. A goal from their captain Olga Carmona (29th minute), excellent technical mastery, and resilience in the game offered the Spanish women the ultimate happiness against a disappointing English team. Despite significant tensions before the competition, Jorge Vilda and his players managed to find the winning formula.
Despite the pressure of their first World Cup final, both teams immediately got into the game. With the same starting eleven as in the previous round and without Lauren James, who returned from suspension but was on the bench, England wanted to showcase their athletic power. Spain resisted and then demonstrated their collective technical quality.
CARMONA SHOWS THE WAY
The game intensified in the first fifteen minutes, with a shot hitting the crossbar from Lauren Hemp (16th minute). La Roja responded immediately with a great opportunity for the young talent Salma Paralluelo and Alba Redondo, who was stopped by Mary Earps (17th minute).
Alexia Putellas watched it all from the bench. The Spanish team continued their momentum, and their captain Carmona opened the scoring with a beautiful shot after a mistake by Lucy Bronze (1-0, 29th minute). Paralluelo also hit the English team just before halftime (45th+1 minute).
In the second half, Sarina Wiegman, the Dutch coach of the England team, took matters into her own hands by bringing on James and Chloé Kelly and switching to a four-man defense. However, this option did not bear fruit as her players remained uninspired and disorganized, much like the disappointing Lauren Hemp or Ella Toone.
#FIFAWWC 🇪🇸⚡🏴 L'Espagne prend l'avantage 🔥
La capitaine Olga Carmona trompe Mary Earps d'une sublime frappe croisée ⚽️
▶️ Suivez le direct : https://t.co/FN1oT3Skp2 pic.twitter.com/AQdGsmqduf
— francetvsport (@francetvsport) August 20, 2023
EARPS SAVES HERMOSO’S PENALTY
It was actually the Spanish team, more coherent and led by the excellent Barcelona player Aitana Bonmati, who remained the most dangerous. Mariona Caldentey forced Mary Earps to make a save (50th minute), and then Bonmati narrowly missed the target with a powerful shot (62nd minute).
Jennifer Hermoso even had the opportunity to double the lead with a penalty awarded after a handball by Keira Walsh, spotted by VAR, but her shot was weak and Earps kept England alive (70th minute). Revitalized by their goalkeeper’s save, the Lionesses regained some energy but remained desperately impotent in their offensive play, despite 14 minutes of added time.
#FIFAWWC 🇪🇸⚡🏴 Salma Paralluelo proche de doubler la mise pour l'Espagne ⚽️
L'attaquante de la Roja profite du manque d'engagement de la défense anglaise pour se mettre en position de frappe. Elle trouve le poteau ❌
▶️ Le direct : https://t.co/FN1oT3Skp2 pic.twitter.com/Pwhe6dGVpT
— francetvsport (@francetvsport) August 20, 2023
The European champions are disappointed, and their coach Wiegman loses in the World Cup final, just like in 2019 with the Netherlands.
For Spain, this is the culmination after a crisis and the sidelining of many dissenters. They succeed the United States as champions, and with Barcelona as the reigning double European champions, their reign is likely to continue.