Women’s World Cup final: England lose to Spain in Sydney

England’s wait to win a primary Women’s World Cup title goes on after Spain deservedly triumphed in the ultimate in Sydney.

England’s gamers fell to their knees in tears on the closing whistle as Spain celebrated inside their space after coping with a closing nook kick in the 14th minute of nerve-wracking stoppage time.

Spain captain Olga Carmona slotted the winner previous goalkeeper Mary Earps in the primary half, after England’s Lucy Bronze misplaced possession in midfield.

England supervisor Sarina Wiegman, who has now misplaced two successive World Cup finals, launched Lauren James and Chloe Kelly at half-time however Spain maintained management regardless of the Lionesses’ finest efforts.

Earps made a number of beautiful saves, together with one from the penalty spot to deny Jenni Hermoso after Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh had been penalised for handball following a prolonged video assistant referee evaluate.

But it was one step too far for the European champions, who misplaced simply their second match in two years beneath Wiegman.

Spain are topped champions for the primary time regardless of going into the match beneath a cloud of controversy following a dispute between gamers and the Spanish soccer federation.

Missed alternative as Spain capitalise

Both groups got here into the ultimate stuffed with confidence, having improved on their performances all through the match.

England, who performed in entrance of a sold-out Wembley crowd final summer season to win the Euros closing, had hoped to depend on expertise they usually began brightly, testing Spain’s defence with balls excessive and in behind.

Manchester City ahead Lauren Hemp was direct and aggressive, and had England’s finest probability however her curling effort from 15 yards hit the crossbar.

But Spain, filled with Barcelona stars who received their second Women’s Champions League title this season, imposed their high quality and labored out how to cope with England’s excessive press.

They grew into the sport, exposing the areas left by England’s attacking full-backs and took their probability when Bronze reduce inside from the fitting and misplaced the ball in the centre circle.

Spain intelligently switched play to their left and Carmona ran on to a easy move from Mariona Caldentey and stroked the ball low previous a diving Earps.

Spain had a number of probabilities to prolong their lead – Earps blocked photographs from Ona Batlle, Caldentey and Alba Redondo in every half – whereas Salma Paralluelo’s first-time strike brushed the submit on the stroke of half time.

It was a deserved victory for Spain however it would really feel like a missed alternative for the Lionesses, who’ve discovered a method to win so typically beneath Wiegman however couldn’t discover the solutions in the largest recreation in their historical past.

Spain overcome dispute as Bronze misses out

Prior to this 12 months’s competitors, Spain had solely ever received one Women’s World Cup match.

They had suffered defeat by the hands of England in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals however in contrast to that night in Brighton when the Lionesses got here from behind to win 2-1, Spain caught to their activity and noticed out victory.

The streets of Sydney, which had been draped in inexperienced and gold for many of the competitors, have been remodeled on Sunday to characterize Spain and England’s colors.

England followers got here dressed in costumes, banging drums and chanting on the town’s trains en route to the stadium and although they dominated numbers in the gang, it was Spain’s supporters celebrating at full-time.

Bronze, 31, was in tears mendacity on the pitch at full-time and had to watch on as a lot of her Barcelona team-mates danced for the cameras whereas they ready the stage for the trophy celebration.

She has received nearly the whole lot in the sport however nonetheless can not get her palms on probably the most desired trophy of all of them.

Meanwhile, Spain’s achievement is a exceptional one given supervisor Jorge Vilda survived a participant revolt lower than 12 months in the past and due to it they have been lacking Sandra Panos, Mapi Leon, Patri Guijarro and Claudia Pina, who all helped Barcelona win the Champions League in June.

Their victory might rework ladies’s soccer in Spain, which has been thrust into the limelight in current years following Barcelona’s home success.