The Spaniards became football world champions by beating the English (1-0) on Sunday August 20, in Sydney, Australia. It is the first world title in women’s football for Spain, which succeeds the winners in the United States, crowned in 2019 in France. The team won thanks to a goal from Olga Carmona in the first half (29th minute). Since the start of the World Cup, it was the eighteenth goal for this very offensive team, which finished as the best attack of the tournament.
The two nations had already met in the quarter-finals of Euro 2022. Future European champions, England then eliminated Spain (2-1), after extra time. This new meeting was this time dominated by the Spaniards, who could have widened the gap during the second period. But England goalkeeper Mary Earp stopped a penalty kick taken by Jennifer Hermoso in the 70th minute of the game.
A conflict between the coach and the players
The preparation of Spain, which was not one of the favorites, was disrupted by the open conflict between part of the workforce and coach Jorge Vilda. Criticized for his management, deemed too strict, the technician had seen 15 internationals publicly request his departure last September. His federation had then supported him against the rebels. Since then, some of the rebels have returned to the squad, but others have maintained their decision to stay away and the tension has remained palpable within the national team.
This unprecedented final closed a World Cup marked by strong popular enthusiasm in the two organizing countries, Australia and New Zealand, but also by many surprises. Germany were eliminated in the group stage, as were Brazil and Olympic champion Canada. As for the United States, double defending champions, they were taken out of the tournament in the round of 16, their earliest elimination in history. Eliminated by Spain in the semi-finals, Sweden took third place in the tournament by dominating Australia (2-0) on Saturday August 19.
