Image: SAEED KHAN (AFP)
Captain Olga Carmona scored the decisive goal (29′), Jennifer Hermoso also failed from the penalty spot (70′).
England, however, missed the desired “double” a year after the triumph at the home European Championship. For team boss Sarina Wiegman it was already the second World Cup final defeat. In 2019 she lost to the record world champion USA with her home country the Netherlands. After winning the title, Spain is the only nation next to Germany to have won the world championship for both women and men (2010).
For the Spaniards, the first 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo, who scored the winning goal as a “joker” in the quarterfinals and the opening goal in the semifinals, moved into the starting eleven in place of the world footballer Alexia Putellas, who had remained pale until then. As usual, England manager Wiegman relied on continuity and sent the same eleven onto the field as in the previous two games. Therefore, Lauren James, who was recently suspended, also took a seat on the bench.
The initial phase of the all-European final in front of 75,784 spectators was balanced. Both teams acted cautiously due to the importance of the game, and there weren’t any top-class chances at first. After a quarter of an hour, however, the final picked up speed. Rachel Daly put the ball across to Lauren Hemp in the penalty area, who slammed the ball directly into the crossbar (16′).
The Spaniards responded practically in the counterattack. A sharp cross from captain Carmona landed at Alba Redondo, who failed from close range by England goalkeeper Mary Earps (17th). As a result, the Spaniards appeared more aggressive and repeatedly won the ball quickly in midfield. The same goes for the lead gate. Lucy Bronze lost the game device, whereupon Teresa Abelleira switched the game to the orphaned left side to Mariona Caldentey, who optimally staged the following Carmona. Spain’s captain finished with a tight shot into the far post (29′).
This sense of achievement gave “La Roja” further impetus. A shot by Irene Paredes (36′) went wide, and immediately before half-time, Paralluelo (45’+1) saved aluminum for England after a direct shot. After Hemp hit the crossbar, the “Lionesses” only posed a limited threat and were deservedly behind after 45 minutes.
England’s team boss reacted to the deficit at the break and brought on striker James as part of a double substitution. The Spaniards stayed on the trigger after the restart. Caldentey failed with a flick at Earps (50′), later Aitana Bonmati shot over the goal (62′). On the other side, Hemp missed from a promising position (54th).
Twenty minutes before the end, 33-year-old Hermoso had the preliminary decision on her feet. England’s Keira Walsh brushed the ball in the penalty area with his outstretched arm, after minutes of studying VAR, referee Tori Penos finally decided on a penalty. Goalkeeper Earps guessed the corner and defused Hermoso’s penalty (70′).
Even in the final phase, including 14 minutes of stoppage time, England were unable to get decisively in front of the Spaniards’ goal. Only “La Roja” still had good chances, Ona Battle missed the decision again alone in front of Earps (92nd). In the end, however, this should not take revenge.
Source: Nachrichten
