Olga Carmona, Spain’s captain, scored in the first half to give her team a well-deserved 1-0 victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday.
The thrilling game was a fitting end to a record-breaking tournament in Australia and New Zealand that will be remembered for how the so-called underdogs narrowed the distance on the sides at the top.
Spain was the more skilled team and had more opportunities in front of a large crowd of approximately 76,000 spectators at Stadium Australia in Sydney, even though they missed a second-half penalty.
Jorge Vilda and the Spanish football organization, who persevered with the coach despite 15 players last year saying they no longer wanted to represent their country under him, were vindicated by Spain’s victory.
Defending player Carmona scored the game-winning goal on minute 29 after charging from left back to smash the ball in low and hard past England goalkeeper Mary Earps.
“It’s difficult to describe, immense joy, I’m so proud of this team,” said the 42-year-old Vilda, who was accused of being too strict, among a litany of complaints.
There was a smattering of boos when his image was put up at Stadium Australia during the game and again when he strode up to the podium before Spain lifted the trophy.
“I’m so happy for everyone watching us right now, we’ve made them happy too. We’re champions of the world,” added Vilda, who recalled three of the 15 mutineers for the tournament but left several top players at home.
Sarina Wiegman, the coach of England, has already lost two consecutive finals, yet her European winners can hardly be blamed.
Twenty minutes from the end, Keira Walsh was determined to have handled the ball in the box following a thorough VAR review, earning Spain a penalty in front of the Queen Letizia who was there.
However, Jennifer Hermoso’s feeble penalty was easily saved by Earps to give England a lifeline and maintain their hopes of being the first country to win the World Cup.
However, Spain appeared to have the best chance of scoring again.
At the final whistle, Spain’s players sprinted off the bench while England’s players were upset, some sobbing and holding their heads in their hands.
In addition to the current winners, the United States, Germany, Norway, and Japan, Spain is the fifth team to win the World Cup since the competition’s inception in 1991.
