Football/Women’s World Cup 2023: Spain win their first title
Spain on top of the world. In their first international final, the Spanish women went on to win the biggest title in their history, overcoming England in the final (1-0) in Sydney, who also missed a generous penalty in the 70th minute. With Alexia Putellas back from injury and still out of form, and some big names on strike and staying at home, La Roja triumphed thanks to a well-oiled team and three players who particularly stood out.
Shaken up before the World Cup by extra-sporting storms between the players and coach Jorge Vilda, the Spanish took advantage of a mistake by Lucy Bronze, who lost the ball in the centre circle.
Olga Carmona, who was perfectly positioned on the left, crossed her low shot straight at Mary Earps (29′). She had already scored the winning goal in the semi-final against Sweden (2-1).
A few minutes earlier, Lauren Hemp, who was brilliant on the British side, hit the crossbar after a fine move by Cata Coll (16th).
On the counter-attack, Spain had also come close to opening the scoring, Paralluelo missing from close range (17th).
Even with the new system introduced by Wiegman after the break, England continued to struggle, particularly when Spanish playmaker Aitana Bonmati fired a powerful shot just over the bar (62′).
Mary Earps tried to keep her team-mates alive by saving a penalty, whistled for a handball by Keira Walsh in the box by VAR and badly taken by Jennifer Hermoso, who missed her second attempt at this exercise at the World Cup, after a first failure against Costa Rica.
After losing two semi-finals, England, European champions last year, were also playing in their first World Cup final, but missed out on the last step.
Sarina Wiegman’s players were unable to bring back the title that England have been waiting for since the men’s title in 1966.
