Spain have won the Women’s World Cup for the first time after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over England in the final at Stadium Australia.
Olga Carmona’s fine first-half goal, drilled beyond Mary Earps into the far corner from a tight angle after 29 minutes, proved decisive in Sydney. Spain had the chance to double their lead in the second half when Keira Walsh was penalised for a handball after a VAR referral, but Earps saved Jennifer Hermoso’s spot-kick.
England had hit the bar through Lauren Hemp early on but struggled to create attacking chances. Alex Greenwood was treated for a head injury in a second half that saw 13 minutes of injury time added. Lauren James, on as a substitute at half-time, went closest for the Lionesses but Spain held on for a deserved win.
“We gave everything, we had chances – we just didn’t have that final edge today,” said the England captain, Millie Bright. “We’re absolutely heartbroken, [but] we can say hand on heart that we gave everything.”
After Spain became the fifth nation to win the Women's World Cup, the individual awards were handed out for the 2023 tournament, with Japan's Hinata Miyazawa the top scorer and Spain's Aitana Bonmatí winning the award for best player.
Golden Boot: Hinata Miyazawa (Japan) - five goals, one assist
Silver Boot: Kadidatou Diani (France) - four goals, one assist
Bronze Boot: Alexandra Popp (Germany) – four goals
Golden Ball: Aitana Bonmatí (Spain)
Silver Ball: Jennifer Hermoso (Spain)
Bronze Ball: Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden)
Golden Glove: Mary Earps (England)
Best Young Player: Salma Paralluelo (Spain)
Fair Play Award: Japan
Women's World Cup winners
1991 USA (beat Norway 2-1)
1995 Norway (beat Germany 2-0)
1999 USA (beat China 5-4 on pens)
2003 Germany (beat Sweden 2-1 aet)
2007 Germany (beat Brazil 2-0)
2011 Japan (beat USA 3-1 on pens)
2015 USA (beat Japan 5-2)
2019 USA (beat Netherlands 2-0)
2023 Spain (beat England 1-0)
“Most of all I feel disappointment, because when you play a final you want to win it,” said the England manager, Sarina Wiegman. “So that is mainly how I feel. Spain played a little better than we did. The opponent was very strong.”
Wiegman, who lost the 2019 final to the USA when in charge of the Netherlands, added: “We gave it everything we could. When you see how many challenges we have had before and in the tournament, how we took [on] every challenge. No regrets.”
Instead, it is Spain on top of the world for the first time, surging to the title despite divisions within their squad and a 4-0 group-stage defeat by Japan. Spain’s Queen Letizia was among the 75,784 spectators watching on, joining the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, to present the team with the trophy.
The Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was named player of the tournament. “I don’t have any words for this moment, it’s unbelievable,” she said of the team’s victory. “I’m so proud. We deserve it. We have been working a lot of years for this moment.”
After the final whistle, King Charles sent a message to the beaten Lionesses. “While I know how sore today’s result must be, let none of you feel defeated,” he said in a statement. “To have reached the finals at all is an immense tribute to your skill, determination and team spirit in the finest sporting tradition. More than that, though, it will serve as an inspiration for generations to come – and, for that, your place in the history books is assured.”
The Spanish Royal Family posted on X, formerly Twitter: “You are the best football players in the world, this is FOOTBALL and this is HISTORY!” The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, wrote: “You have made history. You are a source of pride. You are an inspiration. You are GREAT.”
The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, said: “You left absolutely nothing out there Lionesses. It wasn’t to be, but you’ve already secured your legacy as game changers. We are all incredibly proud of you.”
“I’m struggling for words,” the former England player Karen Carney told ITV. “I was so confident going into the game, but just one brilliant moment from Spain really … I’m struggling and gutted because the players gave it everything [but] Spain were excellent tonight.”
Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the Football Association, said in a statement: “Tonight didn’t go our way, but to reach our first World Cup final since 1966, and our first ever away from home, is a huge achievement. Everyone is hurting this evening, but we are so proud of the Lionesses, Sarina and the whole support team.
“We send our congratulations to Spain and we would also like to thank England fans here in Sydney, at home, and all over the world for their fantastic support. Australia and New Zealand have hosted a wonderful World Cup which will live long in the memory and has showcased everything special about the women’s game.”
The UK culture secretary, Lucy Frazer, said: “Congratulations to Spain. We are all proud of the Lionesses and the World Cup campaign they fought. An incredible journey has come to an end but it will never be forgotten.”
The sports minister, Stuart Andrew, added: “Thank you to all the Lionesses and for inspiring us all with such a fantastic World Cup run. It just wasn’t to be tonight, but the entire country has loved every moment of the journey.”
