Spain have won the World Cup for the first time in their history after beating England 1-0 in Sunday’s final in Sydney. Olga Carmona’s first-half strike was the difference between the two sides as the Lionesses were outplayed and outfought on the day.
Both teams were contesting in their first respective World Cup finals and both have been on incredible rides throughout this tournament to get to this final. Euro 2022 champions England had the opportunity to spread their dominance of the beautiful game worldwide but they were bested by Spain, the team they defeated on their run to European glory.
Jorge Vilda’s side were at it from the get-go and they won the midfield battle which is what frustrated England the most. They were clinical with the once chance that Lionesses shot-stopper Mary Earps couldn’t get to and defended brilliantly to see out a historic victory.
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It took a while for the game to come to life but we were then treated to some end-to-end action. Moments after Lauren Hemp struck the crossbar for the Lionesses, Spain quickly went down the other end and should’ve opened the scoring as Teresa Abelleira’s golden chance from a few yards out was hit straight at goalkeeper Earps.
Spain were certainly giving England a lot to think about and their game plan was working to perfection as they were constantly creating openings to get sight of goal. They managed to get the breakthrough just before the half hour mark as Olga Carmona found the bottom-right corner with a drilled effort that left Earps with no chance.
La Roja had been dictating the tempo of the match with their controlled possession. They were managing the game as if they were a side that were playing in their seventh World Cup final, not their first. But they still had to be wary of the threat England possessed, who were doing everything in their power to find a leveller before the interval.
Spain almost doubled their advantage in the last kick of the first half as Salma Celeste Paralluelo Ayingono hit the post from inside the box. Sarina Wiegman and her players had a lot to think about at half-time. England needed a spark and the Dutch coach introduced Lauren James and Euro 2022 match-winner Chloe Kelly.
Spain’s momentum continued in the early stages of the second half and Earps was called into action again to deny Mariona Caldentey. However, England continued to let them know they were there. Substitute Kelly played an inviting ball across to Hemp at the far post but the forward failed to hit the target.
The comeback looked like it was going to become much harder for England after Keira Walsh conceded a penalty for handball, which was awarded after a lengthy VAR check. Jenni Hermoso stepped up from 12 yards but Earps got down low to smother the shot to keep England’s hopes alive. She was certainly doing her part in this final.
England continued to push in search of an equaliser and James saw an effort denied at the near post as time was running out. There was a lengthy stoppage as Alex Greenwood received a knee to the head which was going to give England plenty of stoppage time to deal with.
The Lionesses tried but they were just second best on the day and Spain delivered an incredible professional performance worthy of world champions. The players and Wiegman will be downbeat after coming so close to the greatest accomplishment in football.
But what a journey this group has been on in the past two years under Wiegman’s stewardship, this will be considered a bump in the road but the end is nowhere in sight. England will be back and once again, they’ve done their country proud.
