The countdown to Sunday has begun. The world will be watching as Spain face England in the Fifa Women's World Cup final at Stadium Australia in Sydney. The Lionesses are on the cusp of greatness, hoping to become the world champions after winning Euro 2022 last summer.
Both teams have been on an incredible journey to reach their first World Cup final. As we await to see who will be crowned the best team on the planet, let’s remind ourselves how Spain and England got to this moment.
Spain
Group C
Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
In their first match at the tournament, Spain demonstrated their firepower as they registered 46 shots against Costa Rica, with Aitana Bonmati and Esther Gonzalez the goalscorers.
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Spain 5-0 Zambia
Spain clearly worked on chance conversion after the Costa Rica game as they fired five past Zambia. Their squad strength was highlighted as there were three different players on the scoresheet as Alba Redondo and Jenni Hermoso both bagged braces and Teresa Abelleira claimed the other.
Japan 4-0 Spain
It’s fair to say that Japan humbled Spain in their final group fixture. The 2011 champions outplayed and outfought the Spaniards to raise questions on how La Roja might fare against some of the stronger opponents in the knockout stage.
Round of 16
Switzerland 1-5 Spain
Any doubts that people had after the Japan loss quickly disappeared after Spain turned in another ruthless display against Switzerland. Bonmati was back in the goals with a double, while both Redondo and Hermoso scored once to bring all three players’ tallies for the tournament up to three. Defender Laia Codina uniquely scored at both ends, with her tally at the right end making up for her early own goal.
Quarter-final
Spain 2-1 Netherlands (AET)
This victory was when Spain laid down a marker as they defeated the 2017 European champions and 2019 World Cup finalists. The Netherlands had looked a threat this summer but Spain were showing the world they are a force to be trifled with. They may have needed extra time to get themselves over the line, but it was a more than worthy result.
Semi-final
Spain 2-1 Sweden
This contest was a nail-biter, with two impressive sides cancelling each other out for 80 minutes. Then all of a sudden, the goals flew in. Teenage winger Salma Paralluelo fired Spain in front in the 81st minute and it seemed that would be that.
But Sweden showed their spirit to keep battling and they got their reward when Rebecka Blonqvist found the top corner. And just when you thought extra time was imminent, Spain restored their lead within a minute as Olga Carmona’s left-footed drive cannoned in off the crossbar to deliver the ultimate dramatic finish to the match.
England
Group D
England 1-0 Haiti
After winning the Euros last summer there were high expectations for the Lionesses at the World Cup. However, there were some concerns as they scraped past Haiti thanks only to a retaken Georgia Stanway penalty.
England 1-0 Denmark
It was a similar match again in their second group fixture against Denmark. Sarina Wiegman brought Lauren James into the starting lineup and the Chelsea star scored the decisive goal in the sixth minute. Fans were hoping for a performance with more pizzazz but England didn’t really take it up a gear.
China 1-6 England
For the first time in a major tournament, Wiegman changed her shape, opting for a wing-back system instead of her preferred 4-3-3. This allowed Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly to torment China and we started to see the electric team that dazzled at the Euros. James stole the show with two goals and three assists as attackers Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp also got on the scoresheet.
Round of 16
England 0-0 Nigeria (4-2 on penalties)
This is probably the game when England rode their luck the most. Nigeria gave the Lionesses a lot to think about and were unfortunate to not sneak a win in normal time. James was sent off for violent conduct late on and England held on for penalties. Chloe Kelly, the Euro 2022 hero, stepped up for the winning spot-kick to keep England’s World Cup dream alive.
Quarter-final
England 2-1 Colombia
Wiegman and her players knew improvement was needed, and some nerves would’ve crept in when Leicy Santos put Colombia ahead just before half-time, but England delivered an immediate response as Hemp equalised after pouncing on a goalkeeping error. The Lionesses asserted themselves after the break and they took the lead just after the hour mark through Russo, with a deft finish into the bottom corner.
Semi-final
Australia 1-3 England
This was England’s best performance in the tournament by far and Hemp was the star on the day. Ella Toone fired the Lionesses in front in the first half and after a magical Sam Kerr finish it was England's resilience that stood out as Hemp restored the lead then brilliantly set up Russo for a clincher which left the home crowd devastated.
