Spain outclass Lionesses to clinch Women's World Cup
ON THE MARK: Spain's Olga Carmona celebrates scoring their side's winner at Stadium Australia, Sydney.
England’s dream of lifting a first World Cup was dashed at the final hurdle after Olga Carmona’s first-half strike proved enough to secure Spain a 1-0 victory in Sydney.
Sarina Wiegman’s side still achieved a best-ever second-place finish, but that will be little consolation to the Lionesses, who came within inches of an opener when Lauren Hemp clipped the crossbar in the first half.
FIFA Best goalkeeper Mary Earps produced several fine saves to keep England in the contest, including the vital block to deny Jennifer Hermoso’s second-half spot kick as her determined team-mates tried to stage a comeback.
That never came, and while the Lionesses had their chances they ultimately could not find a way past speedy Spain, who survived 13 minutes of stoppage time to secure a deserved maiden world title.
"(There’s a) huge amount of disappointment," England skipper, Millie Bright said. "At first you feel you failed cos you’ve not won, but to finish second I think in a couple of weeks when we settle down we’ll be really, really proud.
“This is not it from us, well bounce back I’m sure, but for now it’s hard to take.” England hit the bar through Lauren Hemp in the first period while goalkeeper Mary Earps saved a second-half Jennifer Hermoso penalty to keep hopes alive, but Spain held on to lift their first world title.
Bright added to the BBC: “We gave everything. We can say hand on heart we gave everything.
“In the first half we weren’t at our best. Second half we bounced back, showed our fight, showed our character and we had chances, we just didn’t have that final edge today.
“We’ve been 1-0 down in a game before and we bounced back and that was the aim today. We never give in and it’s hard to take but it’s football. We’re absolutely heartbroken. Unfortunately we just weren’t there today.”
Wiegman told ITV she had no regrets despite defeat. She said: “Most of all I feel disappointment, because when you play a final you want to win it. So that is mainly how I feel. Spain played a little better than we did."
Coll, Batlle, Paredes, Codina (Andres 73), Carmona, Abelleira, Bonmati, Hermoso, Redondo (Hernandez 60), Paralluelo, Caldentey (Putellas 90).
Earps, Greenwood, Bright, Carter, Daly (Kelly 46), Toone (England 87), Walsh, Stanway, Bronze, Hemp, Russo (James 46).
: Tori Penso (USA).
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