v

Video

Details

Date Time League Season
20 August 2023 11:00 am Women's World Cup 2022/23

Match Report

Spain Crowned 2023 Women’s World Cup Champions

Spain were crowned world champions after beating England 1-0 courtesy of Olga Carmona’s first half goal.

Jorge Vilda’s side went ahead through Carmona’s precise shot in the bottom right corner, while Spain had a golden opportunity to double their lead in the second half but Mary Earps saved Jennifer Hermoso’s penalty.

The Lionesses couldn’t replicate their usual potent attack and failing to create opportunities cost them, while Spain got revenge for their quarter-final loss in the European Championships last year.

There was a cagey opening to the match as expected with both side’s playing in their first ever World Cup finals.

England had the first clear cut opportunity as patient build up play allowed Lauren Hemp to curl a shot that hit the crossbar.

The match sparked into life as under a minute later down the other end, a ball across the face of goal found Alba Redondo whose shot from close range was well saved by Earps.

Lucy Bronze foolishly went on a run into midfield and after she was dispossessed, Spain worked the ball to Carmona who guided the ball brilliantly into the bottom corner leaving Earps with no chance.

Spain were in firm control and went close again on the stroke of half time as Salma Paralluelo’s deflected shot hit the post.

At the start of the second half, Mariona Caldentey weaved through the England defence and her shot was well saved by Earps.

Substitute Chloe Kelly put a great ball in but Lauren Hemp’s shot was just wide. 

England defender Kiera Walsh handled in the box and following a lengthy VAR check the referee pointed to the spot.

However, Earps, often England’s hero, guessed the right way and caught Hermoso’s penalty.

England pushed forward for a equaliser and Lauren James hit a shot high towards the corner of the net that forced Cata Coll into a good save at her near post.

In the 13 additional minutes that were added on at the end of the 90, Earps denied Ona Battle’s shot on the overlap, while Sarina Wiegman’s side paid the price for creating very little. 

Spain
23Cata Coll Goalkeeper
2Ona Batlle Defender
4Irene Paredes Defender
14Laia Codina 5 Defender
19Olga Carmona Defender 29'
6Aitana Bonmati Midfielder
3Teresa Abelleira Midfielder
10Jennifer Hermoso Forward
17Alba Redondo 12 Forward
18Salma Paralluelo Forward 78'
8Mariona Caldentey 11 Midfielder
1Maria Isabel Rodriguez Goalkeeper
5Ivana Andres 14 Defender
7Irene Guerrero Midfielder
9Esther Gonzalez Forward
11Alexia Putellas 8 Forward
12Oihane Hernandez 17 Defender
13Enith Salon Goalkeeper
15Eva Navarro Forward
16Maria Perez Midfielder
20Rocio Galvez Defender
21Claudia Zornoza Midfielder
22Athenea del Castillo Forward

England
1Mary Earps Goalkeeper
16Jess Carter Defender
6Millie Bright Midfielder
5Alex Greenwood Defender
2Lucy Bronze Defender
8Georgia Stanway Midfielder
4Keira Walsh Midfielder
9Rachel Daly 18 Forward
10Ella Toone 19 Forward
23Alessia Russo 7 Midfielder
11Lauren Hemp Forward 55'
3Niamh Charles Defender
7Lauren James 23 Forward
12Jordan Nobbs Midfielder
13Hannah Hampton Goalkeeper
14Lotte Wubben-Moy Defender
15Esme Morgan Defender
17Laura Coombs Midfielder
18Chloe Kelly 9 Forward
19Bethany England 10 Midfielder
20Katie Zelem Midfielder
21Ellie Roebuck Goalkeeper
22Katie Robinson Forward

Timeline

7. Olga Carmona 29' 
 45'Alessia Russo
Lauren James
 45'Rachel Daly
Chloe Kelly
 55' 11. Lauren Hemp
Alba Redondo
Oihane Hernandez		60' 
Laia Codina
Ivana Andres		73' 
18. Salma Paralluelo 78' 
 87'Ella Toone
Bethany England
Mariona Caldentey
Alexia Putellas		90' 
  • 103'

    Full time

  • 103'

    England corner one last chance.

  • 102'

    England too aggressive and commit a costly foul.

  • 101'

    Final minute for England's hopes.

  • 100'

    Goal kick is the outcome.

  • 98'

    Spain win a corner.

  • 94'

    Spain substitution: Alexia Putellas replaces Mariona Caldentey.

  • 94'

    A ball across the face of goal evades the Spain attackers.

  • 93'

    Goal kick to England.

  • 93'

    Corner to Spain.

  • 92'

    Ona Batlle breaks down the right on the overlap and Earps matches her effort with a big save.

  • 90'

    There will be 13 additional minutes played.

  • 87'

    England substitution: Ella Toone is replaced by Beth England

  • 82'

    Alex Greenwood is patched up and we're back underway.

  • 77'

    Alex Greenwood is on the turf, she goes up for a header with Salma Paralluelo and it looks like she takes an elbow to the face.

  • 75'

    Lauren James picks up the ball from Chloe Kelly and hits her shot high towards the corner of the net and forces Cata Coll into a good save at her near post.

  • 73'

    Spain substitution: Ivana Andrés replaces Laia Codina.

  • 70'

    Jennifer Hermoso's penalty is saved and caught by Mary Earps.

  • 68'

    The decision is a penalty to Spain.

  • 65'

    Kiera Walsh appears to have handled and there's a VAR check.

  • 64'

    Spain are appealing for a penalty and a VAR check.

  • 62'

    Jenni Hermoso picks out Aitana Bonmati whose left footed shot from outside the box is just too high of the goal, keeper looked beaten.

  • 60'

    Spain substitution: Oihane Hernández replaces Alba Redondo.

  • 60'

    Chloe Kelly produces a cross that goes straight out of play.

  • 59'

    Spain's Tiki Taka football gets them out of trouble.

  • 58'

    Kiera Walsh whips it to the back post but Jess Carter couldn't get full contact on the ball.

  • 57'

    England defend their lines well with a big clearance by Georgia Stanway.

  • 56'

    Corner to Spain.

  • 55'

    Lauren Hemp puts a strong challenge in and is yellow carded.

  • 54'

    Chloe Kelly puts a great ball in and Lauren Hemp's shot is just wide. Better from England.

  • 51'

    Corner goes straight out of play for a goal kick.

  • 50'

    Corner for Spain.

  • 49'

    Mariona Caldentey weaves through the England defence and her shot is well saved by Earps.

  • 46'

    We're back underway for the second half.

  • 45'

    England substitutions: Lauren James and Chloe Kelly replace Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly.

  • 45'

    Time for Lauren James in the second half?

  • 45'

    Half time: Spain 1-0 England

  • 46'

    Salma Paralluelo goes close on the stroke of half time as her deflected shot hits the post. Spain completely dominant in the first half.

  • 45'

    There will be one additional minute played.

  • 42'

    Ella Toone is played in by Lauren Hemp but despite the England no.10 missing, she was ruled offside anyways.

  • 42'

    Chants of ole ole ole ringing around Stadium Australia.

  • 37'

    A dangerous free kick is whipped in and Bright's clearance is poor falling to Irene Paredes, who smashes wide.

  • 34'

    Spain deservedly lead dominating possession and looking in control of the final.

  • 29'

    Lucy Bronze is dispossessed and Spain take the lead as Olga Carmona breaks down the left and her precise shot slides into the bottom right.

  • 27'

    Rachel Daly does her defensive duties and her pressure forces a Spain attack to go out for a goal kick.

  • 25'

    Back underway and Spain clear their lines.

  • 24'

    Slight delay as a protester has entered the field.

  • 24'

    Chance for England from a deep free kick.

  • 21'

    Salma Paralluelo puts another dangerous ball in that is collected by Earps.

  • 20'

    Ella Toone has a shot that is comfortably saved.

  • 17'

    At the other end, a ball across the face of goal finds Alba Redondo whose shot is saved from close range by Mary Earps.

  • 16'

    Patient build up play results in Lauren Hemp curling a shot that hits the bar.

  • 13'

    The corner is really well collected by Cata Coll.

  • 12'

    England win the game's first corner.

  • 11'

    It's a cagey opening to the match as expected.

  • 6'

    Spain break forward but England deal with the attack and force the ball out for a goal kick.

  • 5'

    Lauren Hemp has the first effort on target that is comfortably saved by Cata Coll.

  • 1'

    We're underway.

  • Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's final.

Ground

Stadium Australia
Accor Stadium, Olympic Plaza, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, City of Parramatta Council, New South Wales, 2127, Australia

I am a Sports Journalism & PR graduate from Staffordshire University. During my time at Final Whistle, I have covered the LOI National League, international games and the Women’s National League. Outside of Final Whistle, I am a researcher for World Rugby and a writer for The Rugby Paper.