A goal in the first half from Olga Carmona was enough to make history as Spain secured their first ever Women’s World Cup title on Sunday (20 August) with a 1-0 win over England.
Spain secured their first ever Women’s World Cup title with a 1-0 win over England at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Sydney on Sunday (20 August).
Jennifer Hermoso had a penalty saved by Mary Earps, but a first-half goal from Olga Carmona was enough for La Roja to become world champions for the first time in history.
The win marks a historic FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign for Spain who previously failed to make it past the Round of 16. Making it to the final after knockout wins over Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden, was already a first for Spain with the victory in the final cause for an even bigger celebration.
La Roja expertly controlled the game from kick-off, nullifying any attacking threats from the Lionesses.
Despite Spain’s dominance, the 2022 European Champions managed an early chance – probably their best of the 90 minutes – but the ball hit the bar.
The missed opportunity struck England hard as they struggled to dismantle Spain’s possession-heavy strategy, while La Roja continued to intimidate in response.
England’s goalkeeper Mary Earps did well to deny Spain a goal in the 17th minute, pulling off yet another incredible save to keep her side in the game. But it was all in vain as Olga Carmona soon found the back of the net with a thunderous strike on the half-hour mark.
England made two much needed changes at half time, bringing in Lauren James and Chloe Kelly for Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly. But despite the forward power that both players possess, they still struggled to leave any real mark on a solid Spanish defence.
In the 65th minute, a handball from Keira Walsh gifted La Roja another goal opportunity in the form of a penalty. Hermoso stepped up, but Earps yet again gave her nation a lifeline as she denied the shot.
The save gave England a new lease of life, with James and Kelly trying to produce something special for the Lionesses. Although they had solid attempts, nothing was enough to penetrate Spain’s line-up.
La Roja looked like a team that had experience in playing on the world’s biggest stage, notwithstanding the fact that they had never made it past a FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final stage.
It was Spain’s confidence and composure on the ball that ultimately won them the final, and their performance seemed worlds away from their group stage 4-0 loss to Japan earlier in the tournament.
The Spanish players demonstrated unity, coming together when it mattered most, to make history for their nation.