On Sunday morning, the World Cup final between Spain and England took place at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Spain knocked out Sweden in the semi-finals and England defeated the host nation Australia. When the starting eleven were presented, it was clear that England’s successful confederation captain Sarina Wiegman lined up with the same eleven as in the semi-final.
Jorge Vilda, who is the national team captain of the Spanish national team, however chose to bench two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas. Instead, Salma Paralluelo started.
Although Spain started the match with a lot of possession, it was England, led by Lauren Hemp, who got the most finishes.
Just over 23 minutes had passed when the match was suddenly paused. A spectator had entered the infield wearing a t-shirt with the text “Stop Putler”. The plane stormer was wrestled down and taken away by security personnel and the final could resume.
Spain then took the lead in the match. After a lightning-quick conversion, Olga Carmona was able to place 1-0 in the right corner.
The score stood at halftime.
In the second half of the match, Spain received a penalty. Then the English Barcelona player Lucy Bronze was quickly there and disturbed the penalty taker Jennifer Hermoso. England goalkeeper Mary Earps saved and the hope of World Cup gold was alive.
But despite several attempts to take the match to extra time – and 13 minutes of additional time, it wasn’t enough all the way.
Spain’s women’s national team thus won its first ever WC gold.
Starting XI:
Spain: Coll – Battle, Paredes, Codina, Carmona – Abelleira, Bonmati, Hermoso – Caldentey, Paralluelo, Redondo.
England: Earps – Carter, Bright, Greenwood – Bronze, Stanway, Walsh, Daly – Toone – Russo, Hemp.