The key players who could decide Sunday's final

England must navigate their way past a Spanish side rife with talent, including nine players from last season's Champions League winners Barcelona.

England's Lauren James in action during a training session at the Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, Australia. 

Lauren James (England)

The 21-year-old forward missed England's last-eight and last-four clashes while she served a two-match ban for a red card she was shown after stepping on the back of defender Michelle Alozie in the Lionesses' last-16 battle with Nigeria. Before the incident World Cup debutant James had netted three times in the group stage and is still joint top of the competition's assist charts with three, despite her absence. Replacement Ella Toone scored the opener in their 3-1 semi-final victory, so it remains to be seen whether England manager Sarina Wiegman will risk tinkering with a line-up that has more recently clicked in favour of James' early-tournament potency, or save her as a weapon off the bench.

Jennifer Hermoso (Spain)

With double Ballon D'Or winner Alexia Putellas seemingly struggling with her fitness, controversial Spain head coach Jorge Vilda has relied on strong showings by other members of his side. Barcelona striker Hermoso, a team-mate of England's Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh and her side's all-time top goal-scorer, has looked especially fearsome, scoring three times and providing two assists en route to Spain's first World Cup final. Team-mate Aitana Bonmati shares identical statistics, giving La Roja a potent power in attack even without Putellas on top form.

Spain's Ivana Andres, Teresa Abelleira, Jennifer Hermoso and Olga Carmona, from left, celebrate at the end of the match against  Zambia. Pic:AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Mary Earps (England)

Keeper Earps could be called into action more than any other time in the tournament against Spain, who enter Sunday's encounter with a competition-leading 17 goals. The 30-year-old has thrived since becoming Wiegman's first choice between the sticks and last year won the Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper award after conceding just two goals and keeping four clean sheets in England's Euro 2022-winning campaign.

The Manchester United keeper as made some vital saves so far in this World Cup while conceding just three times. Spain, meanwhile, have let in seven across their six matches.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps during a penalty shoot-out after extra time. Pic: James Warwick

Ona Batlle (Spain)

You do not have to scroll far down lists of World Cup statistics before coming across Spain defender Batlle. The former Manchester United full-back leads the competition in both passes and crosses into the penalty area and has won the most tackles, 15, of any player in the 32-team tournament. Battle, 24, is also second to just England's Alex Greenwood for touches taken, with 37 fewer than Greenwood's 669, and leads the competition with 34 progressive carries.

Netherlands' Victoria Pelova, left, and Spain's Ona Batlle compete for the ball during the Women's World Cup quarterfinal soccer match. Pic: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino