Defeat England 1-0 to become first time winners of FIFA Senior Women’s World Cup tournament
Women’s World Cup: Spain vs England | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr
By Ed Emeanua
Spain’s starting XI: Coll (GK), Batlle, Paredes, Codina, Carmona, Abelleira, Bonmati, Hermoso, Redondo, Caldentey, Paralluelo
England’s starting XI: Earps (GK), Bronze, Walsh, Greenwood, Bright, Stanway, Daly, Toone, Hemp, Carter, Russ
Center Referee: Mary Victoria (Tori) Penso, USA
Spain became the lowest ranked team on number 6 to win the Women’s World Cup with an Olga Carmona lone goal effort to defeat England Sunday at the Stadium Australia in Sydney.
Spain a first-time winner, now join previous champions the United States (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019), Norway (1995), Germany (2003, 2007) and Japan (2011) in this elite catalogue.
Thirty two began this journey a month ago and we are now left with the last two. England kicked off the game at Stadium Australia, as both teams eagerly begin their dream to record the first Women’s World Cup victory for their country.
By the 9th minute mark, Spain have dominated possession so far as they continue to build up their with patient progression. Their passing has very been good with brilliance of skills and fluidity, but England have so far managed to make the decisive intervention at the right moment.
On 13′, England got their first corner kick. It is whipped in from the right side of the field with a looping delivery, but Coll rises high above all in her goal area to easily cuddle the ball before it could pose any more danger.
Salma Paralluelo has continued to pose a threatening presence for the La Roja backline. The Spain attacker has created some runs from the left flank and has already asked some questions of the England defense. On 15′, Spain continue to probe for a way in through the Lionesses defense, and look the more threatening side so far.
However, it was England’s Hemp hitting the cross bar a minute later. Daly laid on a ball in her path outside the box, as Hemp is stationed just right of centre the area. The England forward went for testing the Spain keeper with a curling effort, but ended up clipping the crossbar instead. What a close shave for England.
On 18′, it was the turn of the England keeper to go on the receiving end. Spain was on a swift counter, with Paralluelo once again in the thick of the affront on the English backline. The lithe attacker whipped in a cross from the left side of her team’s end of the field which finds Abelleira about five yard out, forcing her to make a go at the far post, but Mary Earps takes the ball easily.
Spain’s Salma Paralluelo controls the ball against Millie Bright of England [Robert Cianflone/Getty Images]
The game is on a roil as both sides even exchange with telling blows, but so far the parity of the scoreline remains unchanged. Spain is still enjoying more of the possession in line with their unique style of play.
On the other hand, England is also sticking to the book, mindful of their need to settle into this contest by not allowing the Spaniards too much room to for creativity.
This was a well deserved goal for Spain, which will now leave England with no other option than to play on knowing they have their work cut out to get back into this match. England had continued to do what they should not have done-allow Spain to express themselves-in this match.
OLGA CARMONA GIVES SPAIN THE EARLY LEAD! #FIFAWWC
(via @TelemundoSports) pic.twitter.com/1fAdWAvaIl
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 20, 2023
England began to up their intensity following Spain’s taking the lead in the game. However, a double drive at goal failed to yield dividend in the final third, but the Lionesses are ratcheting up the gears after the stunning effort from the Spanish captain.
On 33′, Spain remained solid as their tactics continued to push the European champions on the backfoot. Sarina Wiegman would only look on as her side continue to doing their best to keep Spain at arm’s length.
On 37′, a free kick is taken from the left side, finding Bright who volleys the ball away from her danger area, but her kick ends up finding Paredes inside the box on the right side. The Spaniard fires in a shot at the near post, but ends up missing the mark, much to the relief of a concerned Earps.
Spain will take their 1-0 lead into the break. In the second half, Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso had a penalty saved by England goalkeeper Earps in the second half. Spain drove into the box as their pressure in the England danger area forced the ball to brush the hand of England’s Keira Walsh.
After VAR had reviewed the incident, Center referee Tori Penso also took time to check the video for confirmation of a penalty kick award to Spain.
The Spanish maintained impressive control and edge in possession, 46%-37%, also edging out England on attempts on goal, 14-7, as well as shots on target, 5-3.
Though, Spain’s skipper Carmona’s goal in the 29th minute produced the winner, the margin of the win could have been wider since Hermoso’s had a low spot-kick shot saved by England’s goalkeeper Earps in the second half.
Women’s World Cup: Spain vs England | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft
A huge penalty stop by @maryearps027! 🧱 #FIFAWWC | @Lionesses
pic.twitter.com/CFjPgXpZTH— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) August 20, 2023
Women’s World Cup: Spain vs England | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
Also, Paralluelo appeared to have sealed the game with a strike from inside the area, but England’s Lucy Bronze blocked it from going into her net as another goal for Spain.
A massive 13 minutes of added time by the referee failed to provide England an avenue for reprieve, as their desperate search for the equalizer remained elusive.
Despite England’s desperations and futile enterprise, the added time was deserving considering the time taken to treat England’s Alex Greenwood, who unfortunately got hammered by a knee to the head. The VAR review that led to a penalty also contributed to the extended play.
