Women’s World Cup Final

The Women’s World Cup final took place this past Sunday at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia, and Spain managed to beat England 1-0 thanks to a goal by Real Madrid left-back Olga Carmona.

SPAIN ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!!! 🇪🇸#BeyondGreatness | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/x4liWtvgpN

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 20, 2023

Both sides arrived at the competition as heavy favorites and didn’t disappoint. Spain had faced internal issues between the players and the coaching staff, but both parties managed to put their differences aside for this competition, and the results were there for all to see: playing very good football and being effective in key moments.

The same can be said about England, even if they didn’t win the competition. The team coached by Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman had arrived at the World Cup with great momentum after winning the 2022 Euros on home soil and the Finalissima against a strong Brazil side, so there was a lot of hope for the Lionesses to bring the cup home, even if key players such as Beth Mead and Leah Williamson were not available because of injuries.

Having said all that, Spain were definitely the most dominant side in the final. In recent years, Spanish football has always been known for its great technical level and capacity to hold possession of the ball, which was at full display during this final. Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati, particularly, has stood out in the World Cup because of her technical ability. She showed it once again in the final while being chosen as the tournament’s best player.

England never took control of the situation and struggled to create chances, with a couple of players, such as Arsenal’s Alessia Russo and Manchester City’s Lauren Hemp, struggling to make an impact. Chelsea center-back Millie Bright and City defender Alex Greenwood were the best English on-field players, although goalkeeper Mary Earps was their best performer by far, saving a penalty in the second half and winning the tournament’s Golden Glove.

It would be Olga Carmona, the Real Madrid left-back, who would score the decisive goal in the 29^th minute of the first half. The Spanish left-back would end up scoring a historical goal for women’s football in Spain, winning the World Cup against the biggest candidates in the competition.

Mariona Caldentey 🔗 Olga Carmona@Globant goes behind the play with the goal that sealed #FIFAWWC glory for @SEFutbolFem. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/m3NZLCA0TD

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 21, 2023

For Spain, it was the culmination of a great generation of players that had won everything with FC Barcelona and others that had had tremendous careers as well. For England, it would be a disappointment, but this group of players and this manager have proven that they can go the distance and have already won trophies, so it is not like they have anything left to prove at this point.

Embed from Getty Images

Be that as it may, this Women’s World Cup received record-breaking attendances, and there was a lot more audience online, which goes to show, yet again, that women’s football is becoming a much more popular commodity in the game, which is always welcomed. And considering the quality of the football displayed in the final, that is more than warranted.

⭐️ 𝑪𝑨𝑴𝑷𝑬𝑶𝑵𝑨𝑺 ⭐️@SEFutbolFem pulled up to a hero's welcome in Madrid. 🎉 pic.twitter.com/wHa1S3z2Rz

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 21, 2023