Spain Clinches Its First World Cup Title With A Thrilling 1-0 Victory Over England in the 2023 World Cup Final.
In the highly anticipated Women’s World Cup final clash between Spain and England, the match got off to a dramatic start as Spain capitalized on a turnover by England’s Lucy Bronze. Olga Carmona found the back of the net in the 29th minute, unleashing a precise shot into the far corner past the outstretched arms of England’s goalkeeper, Mary Earps. This goal was a crucial moment for Spain, marking Olga Carmona’s second goal in as many games, following her game-winning strike in Spain’s semifinal victory over Sweden.
The first-half analysis painted a picture of Spain’s dominance on the field. Despite England’s elimination of Spain in the quarterfinals of the previous year’s European championship, La Roja (Spain) exhibited control throughout the pitch. They held a significant advantage in possession, with 53% compared to England’s 31%, and an even more substantial edge in both total passes (313 to 175) and completed passes (275 to 141). Salma Paralluelo, a rising star, came tantalizingly close to adding to Spain’s lead with not one but two near-goals.
Spain’s attacking prowess was particularly evident on the left side, which played a significant role in Olga Carmona’s goal. The Spanish team exploited this area effectively, slipping in behind England’s defense and causing problems for Mary Earps in goal.
While Spain’s performance had been stellar, England had their moments and created chances. However, they faced the daunting task of shoring up their defense in the second half if they were to mount a comeback.
The first half had been nothing short of exhilarating, featuring Olga Carmona’s early goal, a thunderous shot off the crossbar by Lauren Hemp, and close calls from players like Salma Paralluelo and Alba Redondo. Spain’s dominance extended beyond possession, doubling England’s attempts on goal. Despite England’s two shots on target being saved by Spain’s goalkeeper, Coll, they had yet to break through. The offside flag had been raised against England three times, while Spain had managed to avoid any offside infringements.
Salma Paralluelo, at just 19 years old, had been a sensation for Spain’s national team throughout the tournament. Her inclusion in the starting lineup for the World Cup final was a testament to her remarkable impact, including a game-winning goal in the quarterfinal against the Netherlands and the crucial go-ahead goal in the semifinal against Sweden. What made her even more impressive was her versatility, as she had previously set under-20 records for Spain in the 400 meters and 400-meter hurdles in track and field before focusing on soccer.
As the starting lineups were revealed, Salma Paralluelo continued to be a focal point for Spain, while England saw the return of forward Lauren James, who had served a two-game suspension for a red card.
For fans eager to witness the final showdown, there were numerous viewing options. The match was broadcast on FOX Sports, with a Spanish-language version available on Telemundo. Live streaming was possible in English on FoxSports.com and in Spanish on Peacock. Additionally, viewers could choose their favorite live TV streaming service, including DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, and Fubo.
Spain’s journey to the World Cup final had not been without controversy. Nearly a year before their World Cup campaign, 15 of the team’s top players had raised concerns about the team’s environment under coach Jorge Vilda. They had even expressed their unwillingness to be selected for the national team unless changes were made.
The Spanish federation, however, supported Vilda’s stance and his decision to exclude those players. While a few of them later expressed their desire to return, only three were included in the World Cup squad. Notably, two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and Jenni Hermosa, Spain’s all-time leading scorer, who were not among the 15 players but had expressed support for their teammates, were also part of the World Cup squad. Jorge Vilda, when asked about the mutiny, offered a succinct “Next question please.”
The absence of Prince William, a notable soccer enthusiast and the head of the Football Association in England, from the World Cup final was a point of discussion. Despite his strong connection to soccer and England’s participation in the final, Prince William did not attend the match in person. Instead, he shared a video message on social media, extending his best wishes to the Lionesses, alongside his 8-year-old daughter, Charlotte.
On the Spanish side, Queen Letizia of Spain was present in Sydney to show her support for the Spanish team. She had visited the team during their practice sessions in June, engaging with players and the coaching staff.
For those interested in placing bets on the 2023 World Cup final, BetMGM had Spain as the narrow favorite, with moneyline odds of +170. England was listed at +185, while a draw had odds of +200. The over/under line was set at 2.5 goals, with the odds favoring the over.
Predictions for the final varied among experts. Some believed that England’s experience in high-pressure matches, having won the European championship on home soil the previous summer, would give them an advantage. Nancy Armour predicted a 2-0 victory for England. On the other hand, Lindsay Schnell picked England, but with a twist of fate, expecting Spain to win. Alicia DelGallo foresaw Spain taking an early lead, only for England to mount a comeback and secure a narrow 2-1 victory. Sportsbook Wire predicted a 2-1 win for Spain.
In a somewhat surprising turn of events, the absence of the U.S. women’s national team (USWNT) from the World Cup final was viewed by some as a positive development for women’s soccer. Despite the USWNT’s illustrious history and achievements, their early exit from the tournament provided opportunities for other teams to shine and incentivized the continued investment in women’s soccer programs, contributing to the growth of the sport.
