SYDNEY—Spain won its first Women's World Cup title in less than a year, defeating England 1-0 on Sunday, August 20, thanks to Olga Carmona's first-half goal.
Spain won their first major international championship, becoming the first European team to do so since Germany in 2007.
The Spanish players climbed on top of each other in front of their goal after the final whistle.
In the 29th minute, Carmona's left-footed strike sailed into the far corner of the net, barely out of reach of diving England goalkeeper Mary Earps (Golden Glove Award).
She hoisted her jersey in delight, revealing the word "Merchi" scribbled in pen on her undershirt, an apparent homage to her old school.
Carmona also scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute of Spain's 2-1 semifinal triumph over Sweden, becoming the first player to do it since Carli Lloyd in 2015.
In the 68th minute, Spain had an opportunity to double its advantage, but Jenni Hermoso's penalty effort was stopped by Earps, who predicted brilliantly and dove to her left.
Spain's win came despite a player revolt last year. Fifteen players stated they were leaving the national team to focus on their mental health, while also advocating for a more professional environment.
Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmat (Golden Ball Award), and Mariona Caldentey all reconciled with the federation and attended the World Cup.
England entered the competition with momentum after winning the European Championship at home last summer. However, three of the team's finest players, captain Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby, and Beth Mead, all suffered knee injuries and were unable to make the World Cup roster.
Sarina Wiegman, the coach of England, was the first to lead her side to back-to-back World Cup title matches. In 2019, she guided the Netherlands to the final, but they were defeated 2-0 by the United States. She is presently 0-2 in the game.
England has just defeated host Australia 3-1 in the semifinals. Lauren James, the team's leading scorer with three goals and three assists, was forced to miss two games due to a ban for stomping on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie in the first round of the knockout tournament.
Wiegman began Ella Toone while James was unavailable for the final. James entered the game to begin the second half.
The game was temporarily halted in the 25th minute when a person dashed onto the pitch but was promptly caught by security.
Lauren Hemp's shot off the crossbar in the 16th minute was one of England's greatest opportunities. Salma Paralluelo (Best Young Player Award) rushed to the goal but couldn't get a clear shot off, and Earps blocked Alba Redondo's effort in the commotion in front of the net a minute later.
Vilda sent the ball to 19-year-old Paralluelo, who scored the game-winning goal in extra time against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Paralluelo came close to scoring seconds before halftime, but her attempt struck the post. In the 78th minute, she received a yellow card for a foul on Alex Greenwood, who suffered a gash above her eye.
Hemp had another opportunity in the 54th, but he missed. She was given a yellow card for a foul on Laia Codina a minute later.
In the 68th minute, Spain had an opportunity to increase its advantage after a video review granted a penalty for Keira Walsh's handball. But Earps kept England in the game late on with a string of stops.
Working with two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who was still recovering from a ruptured ACL last year, presented a challenge for coach Jorge Vilda. Putellas was on the bench at the start of the final.
Putellas entered the game with 15 seconds remaining in regulation, but there was a 13-minute stoppage time.
The final was attended by 75,784 people at Stadium Australia.
Last year, the two sides played in the Euros quarterfinals, with England coming from behind to defeat Spain 2-1 in extra time with to Georgia Stanway's goal.
