Spain celebrates the World Cup title. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

World champions for the first time: Spain on cloud nine

Spain celebrates the World Cup title at the Women's World Cup. The fans get to see a high-class final against England - with the Lionesses grieving at the end.

August 20, 2023

From: dpa/tu

Spain's footballers disenchanted England's European champions in the World Cup final and won the title for the first time. The team of controversial coach Jorge Vilda defeated Sarina Wiegman's selection 1-0 (1-0) in Sydney on Sunday. Captain Olga Carmona scored the decisive goal for the extremely strong new world champions in the 29th minute. England goalkeeper Mary Earps saved a hand penalty from Jennifer Hermoso (75.784th) in front of 70 spectators.

13 years ago, Spain's men triumphed at the World Cup in South Africa. Now the footballers framed the upswing of their sport in gold in the home of Champions League winners FC Barcelona. 57 years after the men's World Cup success at Wembley, the English women defended themselves in vain against the superiority of the Spanish women. At the end of a top-class tournament with 32 participants for the first time and worldwide attention, they succeeded the US team that had won the title in 2015 and 2019.

Head coach Vilda had put noble joker Salma Paralluelo in the starting line-up for world footballer Alexia Putellas. The 19-year-old former track and field athlete had recommended herself with a goal in each of the quarter and semi-finals - and immediately got off to a powerful start. Spain repeatedly played its way into the opponent's penalty area in the early stages. Paralluelo and Alba Redonda missed a great chance to take the lead in the 16th minute.

On the other side, Lauren Hemp also startled the Spaniards with a bang on the crossbar. England midfielder Georgia Stanway was the only Bundesliga player on the pitch. She had to chase after just under half an hour when the Spaniards launched a sparkling clean attack, which Real Madrid's Carmona completed with a low shot into the right corner to make it 1-0.

Hermoso fails from the point

The left-back had already scored the winning goal in the semi-final against Sweden. Paralluelo almost made it 2-0 with a shot that hit the outside post shortly before half-time. In addition to the recently suspended young star James, Wiegman also brought in Chloe Kelly, the winning goal scorer from the 2022 European Championship final against Germany. However, her team had to accept a penalty after a handball from Keira Walsh and the use of video evidence: However, Hermoso's shot from the spot was too weak and out of place for goalkeeper Earps. But the Spaniards managed to make it 1-0 confidently over time.

Winning the title should be a particular satisfaction for head coach Vilda. Last September, 15 national players declared their temporary withdrawal from the Spanish selection in an email. But the association stood in front of Vilda. Three players – Aitana Bonmati, Mariona Caldentey and Ona Batlle – returned to the selection. Above all, the strong Bonmati from FC Barcelona contributed to the World Cup triumph.

World Cup final 2023

Spain – England 1-0
Goals: 1-0 Carmona (29th)