The Spanish national team secured the title of the Women’s World Cup of football and joined the ranks of victorious teams.
On Sunday, the 20th day, the Spanish team, known as “La Roja,” paid no heed to the supposed superiority of England, the reigning champion of the Euro Cup and the Finals. La Roja dominated the game and secured a 1-0 victory at the Stadium Australia in Sydney. This triumph allowed Spain to claim the coveted world trophy for the first time in history, in an exhilarating final.
A victory well-deserved, achieved by a team that controlled nearly 60% of ball possession and also created numerous clear scoring opportunities in the grand world final.
The start of the match was balanced, with both teams alternating moments of attack. The English players even had the first real opportunity of the game, hitting the post with a shot.
However, once Spain found its characteristic rhythm of play, the team led by coach Jorge Vilda largely dominated the field.
And it was through the distinctive style of play known as “tiki-taka,” a possession-oriented passing game, that the Spanish team opened the scoring at the 29th minute of the first half, in a combination reminiscent of a quick exchange between the Barcelona and Real Madrid teams.
After an excellent play through the midfield, Mariona Caldentey, representing Barcelona players, delivered a pass to Olga Carmona from Real Madrid. The forward contemplated a cross into the centre of the box but opted for a low shot across the goal. And it was accurate! With a precise strike, the ball found its way into the corner of the net defended by Mary Earps, who stretched herself completely but couldn’t reach the trajectory of the ball.
The English players appeared visibly shaken, and Spain’s control of the match became even more evident. The English team went into half-time almost celebrating the fact that they were only trailing by 1-0.
In the second half of the game, the situation didn’t change much, with the Spanish players continuing to dominate ball possession and attacking with greater determination. Meanwhile, the European champions struggled to regain the playing style they exhibited in the earlier stages of the tournament.
At the 23rd minute, Spain had a golden opportunity to extend their lead when midfielder Keira Walsh committed a handball foul inside the box.
Following an extensive VAR review that lasted nearly five minutes, American referee Tori Penso made her decision: penalty.
Number 10 player Jennifer Hermoso stepped up to the ball, took a deep breath, and… kicked it weakly, almost like a pass. Mary Earps, the English goalkeeper, expressed gratitude and saved the shot, maintaining the unchanged score and preventing Spain from widening the lead.
The incident spurred on the English players, who launched an attack in the final minutes in search of the crucial equaliser that would have taken the grand final into extra time.
Coach Sarina Wiegman made substitutions and attempted to change her team’s attitude, but Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll, who was rock-solid, thwarted any possibility of a comeback.
Simultaneously, the Spanish team threatened with counter-attacks, especially after the talented player Alexia Putellas, who had recovered from an injury, entered the field in injury time to help the team maintain effective ball possession.
Due to the extensive VAR review and medical stoppages, the referees awarded a total of 13 minutes of additional time, leaving the 75,784 spectators present at the Stadium Australia in suspense.
Nevertheless, the English national team never came close to equalising the score, and Spain secured their well-deserved victory, claiming their first title in the World Cup.
With this achievement, the Spanish players join the exclusive group of world champions, which includes the United States (four titles), Germany (two), Japan (one), and Norway (one).
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