England had reached this World Cup final by repeatedly overcoming adversity. Every problem and obstacle they had faced, they had navigated. But papering over cracks can only work for so long.
Spain, the best footballing team in the world, ripped off the bandage that had kept England’s World Cup dream alive.
When Olga Carmona put them ahead in the 29th minute, the Lionesses could not find a way back. Mary Earps’ second half penalty save from Jenni Hermoso, which briefly looked as if it could be a turning point, could not spark England into life.
They were beaten by a better team and that will hurt. It will hurt for manager Sarina Wiegman, who has now lost back-to-back World Cup finals.
It will hurt Lucy Bronze, who had so desperately wanted to lift the one trophy that had evaded her. It will hurt Millie Bright, who had given everything to be fit in time to lead her country at this tournament. It will hurt every member of this squad who may wonder whether this was the best chance they will ever get at winning football’s greatest prize.
England’s Lionesses suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat against Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday
Victors Spain celebrated joyously after beating England to win the Women’s World Cup for the first time
The hurt will linger and the knowledge that they have inspired thousands more fans back home with what they have achieved will be of little comfort, for now.
Despite their problems, Spain are deserved champions. They had come into this tournament against a backdrop of a huge row between players, their manager Jorge Vilda and their federation.
For a team with such divisions to go on to lift a World Cup is nothing short of remarkable. A total of 15 players went on strike in September last year in protest at Vilda’s management and what they felt to be an inadequate international set-up.
Twelve then retracted their stance but only 3 were picked in the squad while a further three ruled themselves out of the tournament. Despite the deep-rooted tensions within the squad, players had decided to put their differences with staff aside in the hope of finally achieving success with what is a golden generation of stars.
That, they have now done, but whether they will get the changes they desire remains to be seen. There is a feeling they have won this tournament in spite of their manager, not because of him. It is in contrast to England, who were here because of their coach’s ability to solve problems.
But for the first time at this World Cup, Wiegman perhaps got her tactics wrong. Her biggest decision coming into this final was whether to bring Lauren James back into her starting XI following her return from suspension. James was England’s top scorer and creator before she was given a two-game ban for stepping on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie in the round of 16. Ella Toone had taken her place and scored in the semi-final and Wiegman opted to stick by her. But James is not really an impact player, she is the type of forward who grows into the game and 45 minutes was not long enough to effect the game.
Captain Millie Bright (centre) embraces manager Sarina Wiegman after failing to lead her Lionesses to World Cup glory
Spanish defender Olga Carmona scored the only goal of the World Cup final with a well-placed strike in the 29th minute
Her well placed left-footed striker found the bottom corner to hand Spain a deserved lead before the interval
Lauren Hemp nearly put England ahead in the first half – but her effort from outside the area struck the top of Spain’s crossbar
Wiegman also opted to play a high press, with the aim of forcing their opponents into mistakes in their own half. It looked to be working when England won the ball back and played a neat passes before Lauren Hemp fired a shot against the crossbar. But Spain showed minutes later how quickly they could play around England. Carmona’s cross was put on a plate for Salma Paralluelo, but the forward somehow failed to make a connection, before Alba Redondo’s effort at the back-post was pushed away by Mary Earps.
Wiegman’s high-press approach also required discipline and on the half hour mark England’s most experienced player lost hers. Lucy Bronze initially did well to carry the ball out of defence, but she kept running and was eventually caught in possession on the halfway line. Ona Batlle played a fantastically weighted pass to Mariona Caldentey, who had occupied the space Bronze had vacated. She fed Carmona on the overlap and the full back hit a first-time finish into the bottom left corner of the net.
Spain were inches away from doubling their lead on the stroke of half-time when Paralluelo’s shot hit the outside of the post. England were grateful to get to the break at 1-0.
Wiegman knew changes were needed and at half-time she made the bold decision of taking off Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly for James and Chloe Kelly. She also reverted to a back-four.
Spain, though, continued to dominate. Earps had to be alert to push Caldentey’s deflected effort around the post five minutes into the second half.
Mary Earps saved a second-half penalty to keep her side in the game all the way until the final whistle
Earps pulled off a string of fine saves, but England could not find a goal at the other end as they slipped to defeat
But England started to grow into things and saw a huge chance go begging in the 54th minute. There was a hint of offside when Kelly whipped in a cross for Hemp, but the flag stayed down as the forward fired wide.
Spain had the chance to kill off the game in the 70th minute when Keira Walsh was penalised for handling in the box. The ball brushed the midfielder’s hand and while it was not intentional, American referee Toni Penso was sent to the monitor and eventually pointed to the spot. Jenni Hermoso, Spain’s record scorer, stepped up but her effort was weak and Earps easily saved.
England suddenly had new life as they drove forward in search of an equaliser. They almost found one when James was played in down the left, but her powerful shot was tipped over the bar by Cata Coll.
Thirteen minutes of added time could not help England find a way through. They could have played all night and not scored. Spain were just better, in every aspect of their game. There is no shame in losing to a better team. There is hurt, but there is also pride. For now, it is the hurt that will stay with these players and their manager.
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