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Spain win historic FIFA Women’s World Cup final against England

After 63 games, great goals and agonizing penalty shootouts, Spain are crowned champions in Sydney's Stadium Australia.   

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What you need to know about the final

  • Spain have won the World Cup, defeating England 1-0.
  • The Spanish took the lead with a great strike from Captain Olga Carmona who drove into the England penalty area and hit a hard and low shot into the bottom left corner.
  • Spain's Jennifer Hermoso had a penalty saved by England goalkeeper Mary Earps in the second half.
  • Spain, a first-time winner, join previous champs the United States (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019), Norway (1995), Germany (2003, 2007) and Japan (2011) in this elite club.
  • Australia lost the bronze medal match to Sweden on Saturday. Fridolina Rolfo and Kosovare Asllani scored in the clinical 2-0 win.

Coverage on this live blog has ended.

2 years ago / 9:50 AM EDT

Goodbye Women's World Cup, see you in four years wherever that might be

Spain's players celebrate.Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

And that's a wrap on the 2023 Women's World Cup, with the location of the 2027 tournament still unknown.

A decision is expected to be made next year as FIFA considers bids from South Africa, Brazil and two multi-nation bids — by Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands and the United States with Mexico.

The next men's competition in 2026 with America, Canada and Mexico hosting together.

2 years ago / 9:35 AM EDT

Spanish team have 'changed women's football forever'

Leila Sackur
Spain's Alexia Putellas kisses her medal.Justin Setterfield / Getty Images

The victory by Spain's women has been celebrated by their male counterparts, who took home the men's trophy from South Africa in 2010.

“Champions of the world! Champions of the world,” they wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding, “An entire country has vibrated with you girls. You have changed FOREVER the history of Spanish women’s football.”

2 years ago / 9:20 AM EDT

Early goal made it difficult for England, captain says

England's Millie Bright walks past the trophy.Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

The early strike by Spain’s Olga Carmona played perfectly into La Roja’s high possession game, England Captain Millie Bright conceded after the game.

“Against a team like this where you let them get that sort of momentum, it’s actually really difficult,” Bright told reporters after the game. “They love to possess the ball.”

Spain had the edge in possession, 47%-37%, and had more attempts on goal, 14-7, and shots on target, 5-3.

The captain said she was proud of her teammates for bringing England to the nation’s first Women’s World Cup final.

“A lot of emotion, but really proud of the team, to come this far to play in the World Cup final, not many players do that,” she said. “So yeah, really proud.”

2 years ago / 9:15 AM EDT

Team always knew it could take title, Spain's Aitana Bonmatí says

Spain's midfielder Aitana Bonmati, left, runs with the ball.Izhar Khan / AFP - Getty Images

Even as the world’s No. 6-ranked team, Spain’s Golden Ball winner Aitana Bonmatí said her side knew it had the potential to win it all.

“Everyone knew the goal at the beginning of the preparation of the tournament,” told reporters after the match. “We have been working a lot of years for this moment.”

2 years ago / 8:50 AM EDT

Back in the bar, England fan devastated by the loss

Leila Sackur

LONDON — In east London’s Bar Kick, a devastated Kate Litman was rueing Englands missed chances.

“We deserved to score in the second half” Litman said, adding, “We created so many opportunities in the second half, but we didn’t have the bodies when we needed them.”

Litman said that other fans looked crestfallen as they filed out of the bar before Spain lifted the trophy.

She added that goalkeeper Mary Earps, was England’s “star.”

2 years ago / 8:42 AM EDT

Photo: Spain lift the World Cup trophy

Ivana Andres lifts the FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy.Justin Setterfield / Getty Images
2 years ago / 8:35 AM EDT

Spain receive their medals

Spain's Salma Paralluelo lies on the ground with her medal.Abbie Parr / AP

The Spanish team are walking onto the podium to receive their winners medals from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

2 years ago / 8:33 AM EDT

Spain and England fill out tournament honor roll

Spain's Aitana Bonmati of Spain is awarded the Golden Ball.Justin Setterfield / Getty Images

Spain's Aitana Bonmatí was awarded the Golden Ball while England's Mary Earps took home the Golden Glove as the top outfielder and goalkeeper, of the competition.

Spain's Salma Paralluelo, 19, was named the Best Young Player.

Japan's Hinata Miyazawa found the net five times and she took home the Golden Boot as the competition's high scorer.

2 years ago / 8:32 AM EDT

England team receive their medals

England's players with their second place medals.William West / AFP - Getty Images

FIFA's President Gianni Infantino is presenting the England with their medals.

2 years ago / 8:30 AM EDT

British politicians pay tribute to 'game changers'

Leila Sackur

The Lionesses are “game-changers” despite their loss to Spain, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted shortly after the game ended.

“You left absolutely nothing out there," Sunak wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "It wasn’t to be, but you’ve already secured your legacy as game changers. We are all incredibly proud of you.”

Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition Labour Party also took to X to pay tribute to the team. He said the result was “heartbreaking” but that the they “inspired the whole country.”