England’s Lionesses have missed out on glory on the Women’s World Cup after being crushed 1-0 by Spain.
Closely lacking out on repeating their success at Euros 2022, Sarina Wiegman’s group fought to the very finish at a packed-out Stadium Australia in Sydney.
But a first-half objective by Spain’s Olga Carmona, who shot throughout Mary Earps into the far nook within the twenty eighth minute, broke England’s hearts.
It is Spain’s first main worldwide trophy and makes them the primary European group to win the Women’s World Cup since Germany in 2007.
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England had come near taking the lead themselves within the fifteenth minute when Lauren Hemp’s shot hit the bar.
Two adjustments at half-time noticed Lauren James and Chloe Kelly exchange Rachel Daly and Alessia Russo for the Lionesses, as they tried to show the sport round.
Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso then missed an opportunity to double her aspect’s lead from a penalty – granted after a handball by Keira Walsh – after a heroic save by Earps, who dived to her left to save lots of within the 69th minute.
James then pressured a save from Spain’s goalkeeper from a decent angle a couple of minutes later, as England pushed for an equaliser.
But it wasn’t to be, because the Lionesses fell quick on the closing hurdle.
Captain Millie Bright stated the group had been “absolutely heartbroken” on the defeat.
“We can say hand on heart we gave everything. Sometimes football goes for you, sometimes it goes against you,” she stated.
Complementing Spain as a “fantastic team” she stated: “A lot of emotion (right now) but I’m really proud of the team. To come this far, to play in the World Cup final, not many get to do that.
“This is just not it for us, we’ll bounce again.”
The sport will nonetheless go down in historical past as the primary time the Lionesses have reached the ultimate of the event.
It can be solely the third time Spain have certified for the World Cup, solely having gained a single match within the event till this yr.
But La Roja are actually champions of the world, with a victory which can push ahead the ladies’s sport in Europe.
Hopeful of an England victory, the nation flocked to pubs and bars for the 11am kick-off (BST), with the sport tipped to present a £185m increase to the UK financial system.
The King and Queen additionally issued a rallying cry of “roar to victory” beforehand and the prime minister urged gamers to carry the trophy house, though neither attended the sport.
Play was briefly disrupted through the first half after a protester entered the pitch earlier than an England free kick. The man was swiftly faraway from the pith by stewards.
Disappointment after undefeated run to closing
England had been undefeated within the event earlier than at present’s sport, however the journey to the ultimate wasn’t with out its challenges.
Before the World Cup even started, captain Leah Williamson and striker Beth Mead had been dominated out of taking part in within the event resulting from ACL accidents.
The first two video games noticed the group safe 1-0 victories in opposition to Haiti and Denmark, adopted by a whopping 6-1 win over China to complete prime of Group D.
But the Lionesses had been rapidly pushed to their limits when arising in opposition to Nigeria.
A crimson card handed to Lauren James – which was later adopted by a two-game suspension – meant the group had been right down to 10 gamers within the final 16 match.
The sport went right down to a nail-biting penalty shoot-out, earlier than a 4-2 win noticed them progress into the quarter-finals in opposition to Columbia.
After falling behind to a objective from Leicy Santos, targets from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo booked them a slot within the semi-finals in opposition to co-hosts Australia.
A shocking 3-1 win in opposition to the Matildas secured the Lionesses’ spot within the closing in opposition to Spain, which even with out the win felt like a “fairytale” to Weigman, who additionally took the Netherlands to the ultimate of the event in 2019.
Last time England confronted Spain – within the 2022 Euro quarter-finals – they gained 2-1.
Source: information.sky.com”