England’s quest for their first Women’s World Cup title ended in heartbreak as they were defeated by Spain in the final in Sydney.
The Lionesses, aiming to replicate the achievement of the 1966 men’s team by winning the World Cup, were outclassed by a creative and skillful Spanish side.
Spain’s captain, Olga Carmona, slotted in the winning goal in the first half, taking advantage of a loss of possession by England’s Lucy Bronze in midfield.
Despite introducing Lauren James and Chloe Kelly at halftime, England struggled to seize control as Spain continued to dominate.
Goalkeeper Mary Earps made several remarkable saves, including one from a penalty kick to deny Jenni Hermoso after a lengthy video assistant referee review had penalized Keira Walsh for a handball.
Despite their remarkable journey, the European champions fell short in the final, marking just their second defeat in two years under manager Sarina Wiegman.
Spain claimed their first-ever championship, overcoming a cloud of controversy that hung over them before the tournament due to disputes between players and the Spanish football federation.
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales, based at Kensington Palace, have congratulated the English players for their dedication.
“Your spirit & drive have inspired so many people and paved the way for generations to come,” they noted.