Spain Defeats England 1-0 To Win Maiden Women’s World Cup

Spain won the Women’s World Cup for the first time with an accomplished display to overcome European champion England 1-0 in a final that delivered great drama at the end of an enthralling tournament.

Flourishing in her role as centre-forward, Laurent Hemp was a scourge for the Spanish defence in the opening exchanges, striking the crossbar in the 16th minute in one of the match’s defining moments. England stood on the brink of history, inches away from taking the lead in the World Cup final in a tournament where the margin between success and failure has often been a case of millimetres. The opportunity reflected the pattern of play in the first 20 minutes of the final. Spain dominated possession, but England had the best chance.

The Spanish however, spread the field well. In a hurried, box-to-box game, they got the opening goal, exploiting Lucy Bronze’s mistake with a classy strike from Olga Carmona, who had also scored the winner in the last four against Sweden. Bronze, who had drifted out of position, flapped her arms furiously when she got dispossessed and then fell to the floor in frustration when Carmona scored.

On the touchline, the Spanish reserves hugged each other. Manager Jorge Vilda and his backroom staff celebrated a few metres away. This was the bizarre image of Spain’s seminal moment – the perfect skills, the weighted passes, the silky goal and the crown within grasp, and yet discord reigned. On the biggest stage of all, the team’s success was transformative, but not unifying. The players still don’t like the coach. Their celebration was a simple message again to the manager and the Spanish FA: our grievances are still valid.

England, on the other hand, has been a paragon of harmony and togetherness in the tournament, but the team was on the back foot. To trail in the World Cup is the ultimate test of any team and any coach, including manager Sarina Wiegman, the X-factor in the English setup. The Dutch pragmatist had no doubt planned for a match in which the opponent would have possession, but, a goal down, could the English do anything about Spain’s ball-hogging excellence? On the stroke of half-time Salma Paralluelo’s strike rattled the woodwork as if to emphasize Spain’s dominance.

Wiegman wielded the axe at half-time, introducing both Lauren James, back from suspension, and Chloe Kelly. England had always found the answers in the World Cup, even when Nigeria outplayed the team in the round of sixteen, even in the face of so many injuries. Besides, Spain was not good at protecting leads in the tournament.

Aitana Bonmati, the female Andres Iniesta according to Pep Guardiola, nutmegged Bronze after the break. She was relentless in her excellence. Near the hour mark, Bonmati delivered a stomping hit. At the other end, Kelly’s energy and England’s different shape shifted the momentum of the game for the briefest of moments, but just as England seemingly got a foothold, Keira Walsh handled the ball in the box. Spain’s all-time goalscorer’s precision abandoned her and Mary Earps saved the penalty for England. England’s remained resilient, not broken just yet. Spain however kept passing and then some more, kept enchanting and kept attacking. Even in the 13 minutes of injury time, Spain was more composed, and more aggressive. England, when it needed it most, had at long last run out of answers.

A showcase for the women’s game, the match represented the advent of the old continent in the women’s game and the demise of the almighty United States, who arrived at the tournament with a hint of arrogance in search of an unprecedented three-peat. England’s 57-year wait continues. The hurt goes on. Spain is the new world champion.