In the high-voltage encounter of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final played in Sydney, Spain edged England 1-0 with a first-half strike from captain Olga Carmona. The left-back also scored the winner in the semi-final against Sweden to help the nation to this stage so it was ideal her strike created history for her nation. La Roja lifted the trophy for the first time in their maiden participation in the final of the tournament.
England failed to show their attacking threat apart from some early chances when Lauren Hemp struck the crossbar in the first meaningful attack of the game. On the other hand, Spain tested Mary Earps between the sticks multiple times drawing out saves from Ona Battle and Mariona Caldentey’s effort. The Manchester United keeper also expertly denied Jenni Hermoso from the spot after a handball in the box from Keira Walsh.
The Euro champions fell short to repeat the trick of last summer and have to wait for four more years to win a World Cup trophy. While Spain are buoyant by their remarkable achievement and quite surprising winners have not been among the favourites. But they are deserved winners making this a fitting end to an unforgettable and revolutionary tournament hosted in Australia and New Zealand.
Fifth
Spain are the fifth country to lift the Women’s World Cup after the USA (4 times), Germany (2), Norway and Japan. La Roja won the silverware in their first-ever final appearance.
Second
After losing with the Netherlands against the USA in the 2019 final, this is the second time manager Sarina Wiegman finished as runners-up in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Long wait
For the first time since 2007, a nation from Europe lifted the Women’s World Cup. Germany were the last winner from the continent after defeating Brazil in the final.
Seventh
Olga Carmona is the seventh player in FIFA Women’s World Cup to score the winner in both semi-final and the final. The last player to have done so was Carli Llyod for the USA in 2015. Carmona is also the second youngest to do so and the fourth youngest player to score in a final.
Clean Sweep
Spain have now won three straight Women’s World Cups across age level. They won the U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups last year. Japan are the only other nation to have won all the three tournaments.
Second
This is the second time a team has gone on to win FIFA Women’s World Cup having lost a group stage game during the tournament. The last side to have done so was coincidentally Japan in 2011 who beat them in this edition 4-0.
First
England lost a competitive match for the first time under Sarina Wiegman. They went 29 such games unbeaten since losing to Spain themselves back in 2020. This was only the second defeat the Lionesses suffered under the Dutch.
Margins
This is the first time in Women’s World Cup history that the final has been decided with a 1-0 margin. Spain are also the fifth nation of seven previous final to have won the tournament by scoring first.
Second
Spain are the only second country after Germany to have won the World Cup in both men’s and women’s football. The men’s team also won the World Cup in their first-ever final in 2010.
Penalty Curse
Jenni Hermoso is just the second player to miss a penalty in a World Cup final, excluding shootouts, after Marta for Brazil against Germany in 2007.
Just once
Prior to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, Spain managed just one win in the competition history.
Golden Gloves
Mary Earps is the only goalkeeper, man or woman, to have saved a penalty in the regular time of a World Cup final.
