- SYDNEY — Spain clinched their first women’s world title less than a year after a players rebellion, beating England 1-0 on Sunday thanks to a first-half goal from Olga Carmona. Spain’s first major international cup made them the first European team to win the Women’s World Cup since Germany 2007.
- After the final whistle, the Spanish players lined up in front of the goal.
- Carmona’s left foot hit the far corner of the net in the 29th minute, just out of reach of England goalkeeper Mary Earps. In celebration, he lifted his shirt to reveal the word “merchi” scrawled in ink on the shirt, an apparent nod to his old school.
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While James was available for the final, Wiegman fielded Ella Toone. James came into play early in the second half.
- The game was briefly stopped in the 25th minute when someone ran onto the field but was quickly stopped by a safety.
- One of England’s best chances came in the 16th when Lauren Hemp’s shot deflected off the crossbar. A minute later, Salma Paralluelo ran for the net but couldn’t get a clean shot and the Earps stopped Alba Redondo’s attempt in a scrum in front of the net.
- Vilda starter Paralluelo, 19, who scored a crucial goal for Spain against Sweden as well as an extra-time goal against Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
- Paralluelo almost scored seconds before the break, but his shot hit the post. In the 78th minute, he received a yellow card for a foul on Alex Greenwood, who sustained a cut above his eye.
- Hemp had another chance on lap 54 but turned it down. A minute later he received a yellow card for a foul on Laia Codina.
- Spain had a chance to double their lead in the 68th minute after watching a video of Keira Walsh’s handball award. But the Earps kept England in the game with a series of late saves.
- coach Jorge Vilda has struggled working with two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who was still recovering from a cruciate ligament rupture last year. Putellas was benched early in the final.
- Putellas came on with 15 seconds left in regulation but there was a 13 minute break.
- The final at Stadium Australia was attended by 75,784 fans including tennis player Billie Jean King.
- The two teams met in the quarter-finals of the European Championship last year. England bounced back and defeated Spain 2-1 after extra time thanks to a goal from Georgia Stanway.
