Talented Spain outplayed England to win 1st ever FIFA Womens world cup

  

Flashback to 2022.  Spain were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Women's Euro Cup by England.  The disappointment of the loss engulfed the entire team.  Now to 2023.  The Spanish girls took sweet revenge for that loss on the World Cup stage.  And with that, Spain tasted the world victory for the first time at a packed  Stadium Australia in Sydney .

 In 90 minutes of football, the color of the match can change at any moment.  Statistics are of utmost importance here.  Spain proved that once again.  They snatched the victory even though they were far behind England in terms of ranking and longevity.  Courtesy captain Olga Carmona.  Her only goal made Spain a new world champion  but they could have won by a bigger margin.  Jennifer Hermoso missed a penalty in the second half with 30 minutes remaining which was brilliantly saved by the England goalkeeper Mary Earps diving to her left to keep alive England's hopes . 

 England started Sunday's mega final as the favourites.  Serena Wigman's girls started well  for the first 15 minutes.  They put Spain's defence under pressure and a great shot hit the bar which was a lucky escape for the young Spanish team .  Then gradually Spain began to take over the game.  Tiki-taka football could be seen as they completely took control of the ball possession game as the Lionesses were left chasing the ball most time . Spain girls started to attack in waves with beautiful passing as English defences appeared on the ropes.   Midfielders Aitana Bonmati and Teresa Abelleira orchestrated Spain's performance from the centre of the pitch, underscoring their dominance over England.

 The chance to score came in the 18th minute but 19 year old Salma Paraluello missed it.  Finally in the 29th minute the deadlock was broken .

 Olga Carmona overlapped from the left flank,  cut in and sent an accurate angular shot to the second post and the ball went into the net eluding the outstretched hands of English goalkeeper Mary Earps . 

Just at the stroke of half time Salma Paraluello took a fine shot that hit the outside of the post as England escaped again. 

In the second half too Spain were dominant . Spain's Aitana Bonmati came close to extending the lead, hitting the crossbar with a long-range effort just after the hour mark. Then missed that penalty which gave England a lifeline but tight marking by Spanish defence and their tactics to keep attacking the England half made situation tough for England . Some long stoppages due to the Var decision on penalty and an on field injury to an England player made the 4th referee to add 13 minutes of injury time but England could not break the Spanish wall . Finally England's last minute corner was collected safely by the Spanish goalkeeper and Spain became World champions.  

And with that, England's dream of winning the World Cup ended.  They could not break the drought of 57 years.  England had to give up practically in front of the youth of the Spanish forces.  On the other hand, the Spanish girls are celebrating the fulfillment of their dreams.

It was a sweet success for the Spanish coach  Jorge Vilda as he had to go through hell before the World cup with many top Spanish players revolted against him for his tough training methods  and some of the top players  did not play the World cup but Spain womens team La Roja proved that there is enormous depth in Spanish womens football and Vilda finally was vindicated .

Women's World Cup 2023 award winners:

Golden Boot, Golden Ball and more

Young Player of the Tournament: Salma Paralluelo, Spain.

Golden Glove: Mary Earps, England.

Golden Boot: Hinata Miyazawa, Japan.  5 goals 

Golden Ball: Aitana Bonmati, Spain