Spain crowns themselves World Cup Champions: best images of the final!
The players of the Spanish national team made history at the Accor Stadium in Sydney after beating England 1-0. They sealed the deal in their first final, earning the star!
Achieving a total victory in a World Cup just eight years after the Spanish national team qualified for a knock out stage shows the determination and great improvement of the team.
The Spanish players took revenge on the English after losing in the last Euro Cup in England 2022 when they fell in the quarterfinals by a tight 2-1.
This Sunday, like in that game a year ago, Spain once again took the lead on the scoreboard, but this time, the English were not able to overcome the wall created by the Spanish defence.
Once again Olga Carmona scored to bring glory to the Spanish national team, as she did in the semifinals against Sweden.
The Real Madrid forward scored a great goal, getting ahead of the English defenders and crossing the ball in front of goalkeeper Mary Earps in the 28th minute of the game and making it 1-0, a result that would not change until the final whistle.
The play started with a steal from Aitana Bonmatí, who passed the ball to Teresa Abelleira and she moved the ball quickly to the left wing for Mariona Caldentey. This saw Olga Carmona unfold, she passed it deep and the Sevillian defender hit the ball with a cross-shot into the net.
Jenni Hermoso missed a penalty that could have made it 2-0 on the scoreboard but unfortunately, she missed it. A loose shot that was easily dealt with by the keeper.
The midfielder of the Spanish team was chosen as MVP of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, an award that highlights her as the best player in this tournament.
“I am in shock, what we have done is very big. We have had our chances, we have scored a great goal and we have our little star here (…). You can't ask for anything more. On a sporting level it has been exceptional. Who was going to tell me when I was little... (...) We have all broken barriers", declared Bonmatí after the final.
The goalkeeper of the Spanish team burst into the knockout phase of the World Cup and has become one of the key pieces of the team to achieve the first world star for Spain.
“I don't know what I think... Only in my family and in everything that has happened. It has been a very hard year, but in the end the reward comes. (…) Spain has an incredible soul, we have gone for the game from the beginning. We have raised a country and this goes for those who have opened the way", declared Cata Coll.
Another player who has had an impeccable World Cup has been Jenni Hermoso, who pointed out after the final: “It's crazy. We are not aware. The feeling cannot be explained. We have emptied ourselves from the beginning to this day. (…) I am very grateful that they have allowed the relatives to come."
For her part, Spain forward Salma Paralluelo received the FIFA Best Young Player Award at the awards ceremony following the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.
For her part, Olga Carmona, won the award for the best player of the match, the VISA Player of the Match after her great final crowned by that goal that gave Spain the final victory.
For his part, the coach, Jorge Vilda, highlighted after the final that “now all that remains is to celebrate. We are going to start here and we don't know when it will end” and added: “It is difficult to describe, it is an immense joy and I am extremely proud of the team. Very happy for the people we have made happy. We have shown that we know how to play and suffer, and we are world champions”.
The stands of the Accor Stadium, with the presence of 77,784 spectators, were packed by English fans, with some 20,000!
Spain has shown itself to be superior to England, the Spanish winning the most anticipated duels: Jenni Hermoso against Lauren Hemp or Aitana Bonmatí against Keira Walsh.
The Spanish coach, Jorge Vilda, outpreformed Sarina Wiegman. The Dutch coach has won almost everything with the Netherlands and England but has once again been left at the gates of the World Cup.
The match began with Spain looking for Salma Paralluelo in counterattacks due to the pressure from the English team, but, as the minutes passed, the match was falling under 'La Roja's' control.
Of course, the potential of the English players was evident at all times on the field, because every time they approached the goal, with a lot of verticality, they created a lot of danger.
Spain's goal gave 'La Roja' peace of mind, who ended the first half on top.
The departure of Lauren James and Chloe Kelly for the second part - always accompanying Lauren Hemp, who was the best in England - meant more offensive power within the English team and, although they worked hard, they could not pierce Cata's goal coll in no time.
England's best moments came after Jenni Hermoso's penalty was missed, a series of attacks that left Spain's goalkeeper very busy
Despite the performance of the Spanish goalkeeper, it was the English Mary Earps who won the World Cup Golden Glove for her great work in net.
This final has not only been a great victory for Spain but also for women's football in general. Both the Spanish men's and female teams now wear a star on their chest. Spain is one of the three countries in the world that has won both male and female World Cups!