Spain 1-0 England
Spain are the 2023 Women’s World Cup champions in just their third appearance at the finals and they fully deserved their victory in a dominant display against England.
Olga Carmona was the heroine, scoring a brilliant first half winner and only a fantastic performance from England keeper Mary Earp, saving a second half penalty, kept the score down to one. Spain head coach Jorge Vilda had problems before the tournament with a player revolt; but the women who showed up for La Roja showed superb togetherness and some sublime skills.
In the Third Place Play-Off there was a stunning goal from Kosovare Asslani as Sweden beat hosts Australia 2-0, and Carmona’s effort was a fitting end to a wonderful tournament.
Highlights of the game
England didn’t come close to Spain in the first half as La Roja had the freedom to play as they wanted, knocking the ball around with ease,the excellent Aitana Bonmati involved in much of Spain’s good work. They won the midfield duels and tested England with their probing passing; and England keeper Mary Earps saved well from Alba Redondo after a flowing move. La Roja kept pushing and on 29 minutes they were ahead; and it was a super hit which broke the deadlock. Lucy Bronze lost the ball in midfield and Teresa Abelleira picked it up. She drove forward and found Olga Carmona in space and the 23-year-old wingback rifled her shot home.
The Real Madrid star will be watching the World Cup 2023 highlights time and time again over the next few days. It’s a moment she will never forget.
England had their moment when Lauren Hemp hit the crossbar but the Spaniards went into half time with their noses in front. Wiegman rang the changes at half time, bringing on Lauren James and Chloe Kelly to replace Alessio Russo and Rachel Daly. But Spain started the second half as they finished the first and Mary Earps was forced into a fingertip save when Mariona Caldentey took aim. The ball was bouncing into the corner before the England stopper stretched to save. Spain continued to press and when, Keira Walsh handled in a mad scramble, the referee took a long look at VAR before awarding a penalty.
Jennifer Hermoso stepped up and aimed for the right corner but her effort was weak and the brilliant Earps swallowed it up. The pre-match Women’s World Cup 2023 betting odds told us we were in for a pulsating contest and the action was breathless. England tried to get back into the game but rarely threatened the Spain goal and, as the clock ticked down, La Roja came close again but a last ditch tackle from Jess Carter saved the Lionesses.
Spain made a change, bringing off Mariona Caldantey for Ballon D’Or winner Alexia Putellas, and, as a whopping 13 minutes went up on the clock for injury time Earps made another outstanding save to keep out Ona Batlle. The nerves were jangling but Spain kept pushing a second to kill the game, but brave defending from Bronze kept the Lionesses in the game. 11 minutes into added time England had yet to fashion a chance and, when Hermoso was fouled Spain had more chance to run down the clock, and the final whistle was greeted by wild celebrations.
Key statistics
These two teams have met 16 times previously but this was the first time at a World Cup and, ranked fourth and sixth by FIFA, England and Spain were always ready to put on a special final.
England have been to two quarter finals, in 2007 and 2011, then two semi-finals in 2015 and 2019 and have now gone one better by reaching the final. Spain’s rise has been meteoric by comparison. La Roja’s first World Cup was in 2015 but they won this match on every metric:
Possession: 58 percent to 42
Shots: 13 to eight
On target: six to three
Passing accuracy: 82 per cent to 72 per cent
There’s no other way of looking at this. Spain deserve their triumph.
What’s next?
Sarina Wiegman’s future has been discussed at length in the UK news media with reports that the USA might be keen to talk to her. But the England boss has committed her future to the Lionesses and they will go again for the next Euros.
For the team here at SBOTOP this is the most exciting time of the year as the big domestic leagues get under way, and next week we have Premier League, La Liga and Serie A action as well as bringing news from the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer.
Plenty to look forward to; but for now it’s Go Espanya! Well done La Roja!
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