Key Points
- Spain has won the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, defeating England 1-0 in the final game.
- Spain's Olga Carmona secured the first and only goal of the game 29 minutes in.
- It's Spain's first-ever Women's World Cup win, and both teams' first time in the final.
Spain has won their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup, defeating England 1-0 at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Sunday night to become the 2023 champions.
Both teams were playing in a Women’s World Cup final for the first time in the history-making game. But it was Spain, in only their third Women's World Cup tournament, who proved the victors on the night.
Spain's Olga Carmona secured the first and only goal of the game
Starting strong, Spain led heavily on possession in the game’s first 45 minutes. The Spanish team’s Olga Carmona scored the first (and only) goal of the game 29 minutes in, with a powerful strike by the defender passing England goalkeeper Mary Earps and flying into the net.
After 45 minutes of regular play, there was just a minute of extra time granted. By halftime, England had proven themselves a formidable opponent against Spain, but had not managed to even the score.
Both England and Spain made history - playing in the Women's World Cup final for the first time. Source: Getty / Cameron Spencer
An hour into play time and Spain's Alba Redondo was also subbed out, with Oihane Hernández stepping in from the bench. A minute later, Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmatí kicked a soaring strike towards the England net but the ball was slightly too high, hitting the top bar.
Spain was awarded a penalty shot in the 68th minute after it was ruled that England's Keira Walsh's hand had touched the ball. Spain's Jenni Hermoso took the shot, with Earps comfortably blocking.
England's Lauren James came close to making the scores even 76 minutes in, firing a powerful shot saved with one hand by Spain goalie Cata Coll and sent flying above the top bar.
A collision shortly afterwards between Spain's Salma Paralluelo and England's Alex Greenwood resulted in a forehead injury for Greenwood and a yellow card for Paralluelo. With her head bandaged up, Greenwood returned to the pitch, continuing play.
Both teams had substitutions in the last 15 minutes of regular play. Spain's Alexia Putellas was subbed in for Mariona Caldentey, with Bethany England coming off the bench to replace Mary Toone.
13 minutes of extra time were given after the conclusion of regular play. At the final whistle, Spain was still on top, winning a Women's World Cup for the first time ever and bringing an end to a glorious month of football.
It's the first time England's women's team has made it to the World Cup final. Source: Getty / Naomi Baker / The FA
A history-making Women's World Cup
At the post-match award ceremony, Paralluelo was given the Best Young Player trophy. The 19-year-old Paralluelo shone in the games leading up to the final, emerging from the bench to secure wins for Spain during both their quarter-final and semi-final games.
Earps was awarded the Golden Glove, recognising the English goalkeeper's incredible contribution to her team in this tournament. The Golden Ball was awarded to Spanish midfielder Bonmatí, an exceptional force throughout her World Cup run.
England goalkeeper Mary Earps' phenomenal contribution to her team earned her the Golden Glove award. Source: Getty / Catherine Ivill
Spain's road to World Cup glory
The 2023 Women's World Cup marked Spain's third time playing in the tournament, having made their debut at the 2015 edition in Canada but failing to make it out of the group stage.
At the last Women's World Cup, in 2019, the team were knocked out in the round of 16 stage, losing 1-2 to the US.
Spain performed exceptionally throughout this tournament, confidently outplaying Sweden, the Netherlands and Switzerland in the three matches before their face-off with England. They also scored the most goals of any team in this Women's World Cup: 18.
Spain's Olga Carmona secured the first and only goal of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final. Source: Getty / Maddie Meyer / FIFA
Reports from the time pointed to player issues with training, facilities, and low levels of support from the federation as well as their coach, who some considered too authoritarian.
Three players returned to the Women's World Cup team - Bonmatí, Caldentey and Ona Batlle - but players like Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarr did not come back to the fold.
What's next for women's football?
The 2023 Women's World Cup - hosted by Australia and New Zealand for the first time - has made new football fans out of countless thousands and renewed passion for longtime supporters.
75,784 fans packed the stands of Stadium Australia for Spain and England's heart-stopping final. The tournament has fiercely captured Australia's interest, with the Matildas leading a campaign that ended with the team in the top four alongside Sweden.
"I can only speak for the Matildas. We need funding in our development," captain Sam Kerr said after the team's exit from the tournament. "We need funding in our grassroots. We need funding. We need funding everywhere."
Teammate Steph Catley echoed Kerr's comments, saying football in general in Australia is "very much not funded the way it should be".
"There's no argument now that people aren't interested," she said. "People are interested. The numbers are there. Kids are playing. People want to be watching the sport."
On 19 August, the federal government , along with reforms to ensure more Australians are able to access women's sporting events on free-to-air television.
When announcing the funding, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Women's World Cup had "changed sport in Australia forever" and that the investment was overdue.
