Kruti Dave, Pune
In a nail-biting final on Sunday at Stadium Australia that drew a record-breaking 75,784 spectators, Spain won their first FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy by defeating England 1-0.
The team’s captain, Olga Carmona, made the game-changing blow in the first half to seal the powerful victory.
Thanks to their success, La Roja became the first team to simultaneously hold the world championships for the under-17, under-20, and senior divisions. Spain, one of only two countries to have won the men’s and women’s championships, is the fifth victor in the Women’s World Cup’s nine editions. Germany is the other winner.
La Roja’s victory was even more impressive in light of their recent struggles, which included a player uprising against coach Jorge Vilda and a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Japan in the group round.
Aitana Bonmati and Teresa Abelleira, two midfielders, controlled Spain’s play from the center of the pitch, highlighting their superiority against England. If Mary Earps, the goalkeeper for England, had not saved a penalty in the second half, the margin of victory might have been even larger.
Since Sarina Wiegman has been their head coach, England has lost just twice in 39 games. The loss ended their chances of adding a first World Cup victory to the European Championship championship they won the previous year.
The first Women’s World Cup final without the United States or Germany got off to a fast start, with England almost coming out on top in the match between the two first-time finalists.
Wiegman changed the defense from three to four at the interval while substituting Lauren James for Alessia Russo up front as England displayed adaptability throughout the competition.
Contrarily, Spain’s game hasn’t changed, and they’ve kept pushing forward. In the 50th minute, Caldentey’s strike from the edge of the box forced a great save out of Earps.
Spain resisted England’s spirited efforts despite Lauren James’ strike in the 75th minute being deflected over the bar by Spanish custodian Cata Coll. Cata Coll expertly collected the ball to seal Spain’s historic victory as England pushed all 11 players forward for a corner in stoppage time.