FIFA Women’s World Cup Final: Spain burst English dreams to be crowned champions of the world in Sydney

A midfield masterclass has led Spain to their first-ever Women’s World Cup crown, as they accounted for England 1-0 at Stadium Australia.

The Spaniards ended the historic tournament in Australia with a slice of history of their own, bring the curtain down on a great month of soccer with a commanding win over the Lionessess.

Left-back Olga Carmona’s fizzing first-half strike, a goal worthy of winning any World Cup final, sent the Spanish on their way, their win rich reward for a superb all-round performance.

Teresa Abelleira, Aitana Bonmatia and Jennifer Hermoso provided a virtuosic performance in the middle of the park with a display worthy of the country’s fine tradition of midfield maestros.

England meanwhile, will be left to reckon with what could have been, second-best for most of the day.

It was a cautious first 10 minutes, both sides careful while trying to impose themselves, tentative yet also showing signs of expression, the nerves discernible.

The game roared into life just after the quarter of an hour mark, when Rachel Daly touched a cross into the path of Lauren Hemp, whose instinctual strike off one step clattered off the crossbar.

A minute late and Spain were wondering how they had failed to score up the other end after Abelleira fed Carmona, whose low cross somehow evaded Salma Paralluelo a few yards out.

Alba Redondo was lurking at the back post, but somehow diverted it straight into the arms of goalkeeper Mary Earps with the goal at her mercy.

England’s midfield were unable to get a grip on proceedings as Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway chased the shadows of Abelleira, Bonmatia and Hermoso, the Spanish inquisition asking questions the English had no answers for.

Hermoso continued to find pockets of space and keep the ball rolling, Abelleira picked her passes with precision, while Bonmatia burst forward at will, constantly finding time and space.

The breakthrough came moments before the clock struck 30 minutes, Spain countering after a trademark Lucy Bronze burst was ended in midfield; thinking quickly, Abelleira picked out Mariona Caldentey in the space Bronze down the right had vacated.

Carmona surged forward and ran onto Caldentey’s ball, leaving Alessia Russo trailing forlornly in her wake as she unleashed a low strike into the bottom corner of the net.

The Lionesses had a golden chance to level the scores when Lauren Hemp and Russo combined down the right, but Ella Toone’s mis-hit shot rolled wide – not that it mattered, with the lineswoman’s flag raised for offside.

Paralluelo almost made it 2-0 on the cusp of half-time, Earps watching gratefully as her poked effort goalward clipped the post before rolling over the touchline.

England coach Sarine Wiegman wrung the changes at the break, moving from a back three to a defensive four, Lauren James and Chloe Kelly introduced at the expense of Russo and Daly.

There was a renewed sense of vigour for England, as Hemp cannoned a chance wide, but Earps was still kept busy, forced into a sprawling save to paw away a Caldente effort.

At times it felt like Bonmati was untouchable, striding forward after Walsh’s pocket was picked in midfield before unleashing a dipping shot which flew narrowly over.

Walsh’s evening went from bad to worse after some helter-skelter defending in England’s penalty box resulted in the ball brushing her hand; after a surprisingly lengthy wait, referee Tori Penso, upon consultation with the Video Assistant Referee, awarded a penalty.

But there was another twist as Hermoso – who had scored seven of her eight penalties for Spain up until that point – was foiled by Earps, the custodian unleashing a primal scream in an attempt to awake her team from its slumber.

James slowly began to impose herself on proceedings, and her clever run resulted in a powerful shot from an acute angle which Cata Coll did well to palm away.

England were chasing, but as time ticked away and the 13 additional minutes of injury-time began, Spain still had the best chances.

Jessie Carter’s last-ditch sliding tackle deflected Hermoso’s effort behind, while Ona Battle’s run in behind ended in Earps making a reflex stop to divert her effort behind.

A desperate England launched ball after ball forward as their legs failed them, Earps sprinting forward late for an injury-time corner, but Cata Coll claimed the cross, to trigger a sea of red jubilation and English misery.