England were beaten at the last hurdle as Olga Carmona’s superb strike was enough for Spain to win 1-0 and lift the Women’s World Cup trophy for the first time.
The Lionesses were unable to replicate their Euros success from last summer as they were masters of their own downfall after a tepid first half.
Spain dominated not only the possession, but the overall play as England were guilty of making poor errors and it was a Lucy Bronze giveaway in midfield that eventually allowed Carmona to rifle home a superb effort in the 29th minute.
Sarina Wiegman – featuring in her fourth successive major tournament final – made a bold statement at half-time, bringing Lauren James and Chloe Kelly on for Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly, switching back to a 4-3-3 formation.
The Lionesses were vastly improved, but as has been the case for most of the World Cup, Mary Earps’ heroics kept England in the game. She expertly saved a Jennifer Hermoso penalty, which was taken after a six-minute VAR check for a Keira Walsh handball.
England and Wiegman’s wait for a World Cup title goes on, while for all of Spain’s pre-tournament issues, they have triumphed on the biggest of stages.
It was a feisty start at Stadium Australia, but a chance at either end ignited the tie. Lauren Hemp smacked the top of the crossbar in the 16th minute, before Earps was forced into a fine save to deny Alba Redondo.
But Bronze, who had lost in the previous two World Cup semi-finals, made a costly error to allow Spain to score first. She lost the ball in midfield, with Teresa Abelleira finding Mariona Caldentey. She in turn picked out captain Carmona, who rifled a sensational effort past Earps, scoring in a second successive World Cup match.
Spain made one change with Salma Paralluelo coming in for Alexia Putellas.England named an unchanged XI from their previous two games. Lauren James returned from suspension, but was named on the bench.
England took a while to respond as Spain continued to dominate, but their first attack since going behind was almost promising. Hemp and Alessia Russo combined down the right, but the latter’s cross in for Toone just ran too far past the midfielder. The offside flag was also rightly raised.
Spain could have added another with the final kick of the half to make England’s almost mammoth task even harder. However, 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo’s low effort hit the bottom of the post before going behind.
Wiegman’s bold half-time changes almost paid off too. Kelly proved why she was bought on with a sublime cross into the area – missed by Irene Parades – that Hemp could only send wide. Caldentey also drew a fine save from Earps, while Aitana Bonmati too sent a floated effort over the crossbar.
A lengthy journey to a Spain penalty began in the 62nd minute in a loud appeal for a handball. The ball brushed the hand of Walsh from close range as Caldentey looked to go past the England midfielder, which VAR reviewed along with the referee at the pitchside monitor.
Image:Mary Earps saved Jennifer Hermoso’s penalty, capping a fine tournament for the goalkeeper
The penalty was eventually awarded in the 68th minute, with another 90 seconds before Hermoso could take it as England complained about the ball not being placed properly on the spot. When she did eventually strike, Earps leapt to her left to keep it out, once again saving the Lionesses’ skin.
It was an end-to-end finish, although there were questions over a possible second booking for Paralluelo, who got away with kicking the ball away, having previously seen a yellow card for a foul on Alex Greenwood.
But ultimately, England were unable to force extra time despite an improved second half, as Spain celebrated their maiden World Cup title.
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