England heartbreakingly lost 1-0 to Spain in their first Women’s World Cup final as Olga Carmona’s first-half goal proved enough to break the Lionesses’s hearts.
Sarina Wiegman and her players were looking to bring the game’s biggest prize home from Sydney but Carmona drilled a finish into the far corner on 29 minutes and although Mary Earps brilliantly saved Jennifer Hermoso’s penalty with 20 minutes remaining, England couldn’t fashion an equaliser.
It was the first time the England men’s or women’s team have reached a football World Cup final since 1966 and the nation came to a halt for the historic occasion but were left bereft as Spain saw out the victory.
Lauren Hemp came closest to scoring for the Lionesses when her curling effort struck the bar in the 16th minute but Spain were good value for the win as they lifted the Women’s World Cup for the first time.
Relive England’s clash against Spain below:
Women’s World Cup final LIVE: England vs Spain updates
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England lose 1-0 to Spain in Women’s World Cup final
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Olga Carmona’s first-half goal proves enough despite Mary Earps penalty save
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Anti-Putin protestor interrupts final with pitch invasion
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70’ – PENALTY SAVE! Earps brilliantly saves Hermoso’s spot-kick, awarded after VAR review (ESP 1-0 ENG)
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45+1’ – POST! Paralleulo’s shot strikes the bottom of the post on stroke of half-time (ESP 1-0 ENG)
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29’ – GOAL! Drilled Carmona finish puts Spain ahead (ESP 1-0 ENG)
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17’ – SAVE! Earps makes brilliant close-range stop from Paralluelo (ESP 0-0 ENG)
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16’ – CROSSBAR! Hemp curls a shot but it strikes the woodwork (ESP 0-0 ENG)
FULL-TIME: England 0-1 Spain (SPAIN WIN THE WORLD CUP)
13:07 , Ben Fleming
The Spanish players charge onto the pitch and embrace each other. They were the better team on the night and they have won their first World Cup.
For England, it’s emotional. Players are in tears, down on their knees. It’s a tournament to be proud of but they’ve come up just short on this occasion in Australia.
England 0-1 Spain
13:04 , Ben Fleming
90+14 mins: A last-ditch corner for England. Earps is up for it but Cata claims it and the full-time whistle goes!
It’s heartbreak for the Lionesses as Spain win the World Cup!
England 0-1 Spain
13:02 , Ben Fleming
90+13 mins: A late chance for England at last as Hemp bursts down the right. Her cross is well delivered but it just can’t find Beth England in the box and Spain can clear.
England 0-1 Spain
13:00 , Ben Fleming
90+11 mins: Two minutes remaining….still England search. No real chances as of yet in injury time for the Lionesses.
England 0-1 Spain
12:57 , Ben Fleming
90+8 mins: Spain break forward once again as Paralluelo forces a sliding block from Bronze and Spain win a corner deep into injury time.
England 0-1 Spain
12:56 , Ben Fleming
90+7 mins: Time rapidly running out for England as Spain continue to do a good job of slowing the game down and disrupting the Lionesses at every opportunity.
England 0-1 Spain
12:53 , Ben Fleming
90+4 mins: England come forward now but there’s just a lack of quality with the final pass as Kelly’s cross is cleared away with ease by the Spanish defence.
England 0-1 Spain
12:51 , Ben Fleming
90+2 mins: SAVE! Big save again from Earps to deny Batlle. England throwing people forward and leave themselves open at the back but England’s keeper – as she has done all game – keeps her side in it with a great save down low.
England 0-1 Spain
12:49 , Ben Fleming
90 mins: 13 MINUTES of added time for England to find an equaliser.
England 0-1 Spain
12:49 , Ben Fleming
89 mins: A fantastic last-ditch block from Carter to deny Hermoso inside the box. Spain make a late change as Putellas comes on for Caldentey.
England 0-1 Spain
12:46 , Ben Fleming
87 mins: Perhaps one final roll of the dice for the Lionesses as England comes on up top for Toone.
England 0-1 Spain
12:44 , Ben Fleming
85 mins: Hermoso the latest down receiving treatment after being caught late. We’re in for plenty of stoppage time…
England 0-1 Spain
12:42 , Ben Fleming
82 mins: Greenwood is back up, with a new shirt, and ready to continue. England continue to push for her opener but Bronze’s cross is not met by anyone in a blue shirt in the area.
England 0-1 Spain
12:37 , Ben Fleming
78 mins: A stoppage now for England as Greenwood is down after being caught by the knee of Paralluelo who receives a yellow card.
England 0-1 Spain
12:35 , Ben Fleming
76 mins: SAVE! England have been on top since that pause for the injury and James now finds her way into the game for her first effort on goal. It’s a tight angle left of the goal but it requires the fingertips of Cata to tip it behind for a corner.
England 0-1 Spain
12:32 , Ben Fleming
72 mins: Codina is down receiving treatment, giving England a vital chance to regroup and mentally prepare themselves for this final 25 minutes.
In the end, the Spanish centre-back can’t continue with Andres replacing her.
England 0-1 Spain
12:29 , Ben Fleming
70 mins: PENALTY SAVED! A huge moment in this final as Earps makes the save. She guesses correctly to her left and it’s a vital save to deny Hermoso.
A huge let-off for England.
Replays show she may have been a bit off her line but it wasn’t checked and England won’t care one bit.
England 0-1 Spain
12:27 , Ben Fleming
67 mins: PENALTY! It’s a long, drawn-out process as Tori Penso looks at the monitor and discusses it with the VAR team.
In the end, it’s a penalty and Spain have a chance to double their lead.
England 0-1 Spain
12:24 , Ben Fleming
65 mins: It’s desperate defending from England as Paralluelo effort is deflected behind for a corner. But wait, there’s a nervous wait now for England as a VAR check begins for a Kiera Walsh handball.
She heads to the monitor…
England 0-1 Spain
12:21 , Ben Fleming
62 mins: Bonmati with another lovely turn in the middle of the park as she bears down on goal. The midfielder tries her luck from range but her left-footed drive goes just over the bar with Earps well beaten.
England 0-1 Spain
12:19 , Ben Fleming
60 mins: Spain make their first change of the game as Redondo comes off for Hernandez.
England 0-1 Spain
12:17 , Ben Fleming
58 mins: Some better passages of play as England focus their play down the right. A cross aiming for the far post can’t quite find Carter – now playing at left-back – but it’s better from Wiegman’s side.
England 0-1 Spain
12:13 , Ben Fleming
54 mins: CHANCE! Much better from England. Kelly gets into the action for the first time off the bench with an inch-perfect bending delivery from the right wing. It finds Hemp at the far post but she can’t quite find the target.
Moments later and Hemp is in the book after a challenge on Codina – that looked Harsh on the England player.
England 0-1 Spain
12:09 , Ben Fleming
50 mins: SAVE! Earps produces another fantastic save early in the second half to keep the deficit at one goal. Caldentey bends her effort around Bright on the edge of the box but England’s keeper dives well to her left to flick it around the post.
England 0-1 Spain
11:55 , Ben Fleming
46 mins: And we are back underway in the second half. A double change at the break for England as Daly and Russo come off for James and Kelly.
We suspected James would be on at some stage – she has 45 minutes now to find a way back for England.
HALF TIME: England 0-1 Spain
11:53 , Jamie Braidwood
By Jamie Braidwood at Stadium Australia
That was a difficult half for England. The game was so finely balanced. The Lionesses pushed extremely high when Spain looked to build from deep and it left all sorts of gaps in behind. The goal was a disaster from England’s point of view, with Lucy Bronze looking to do far too much as she dribbled out from right back. It left the Lionesses completely out of shape and Spain punished them. It was a brilliant finish from Olga Carmona.
HALF-TIME: England 0-1 Spain
11:52 , Ben Fleming
Not the first 45 minutes that England would have been looking for as they trail 1-0 at the break to Carmona’s strike.
The Lionesses could have taken the lead but Hemp’s edge-of-the-box effort cannoned back off the crossbar.
Since the goal, England have struggled to pose a threat, with Paralluelo’s chance on the brink of half-time almost doubling Spain’s advantage.
England 0-1 Spain
11:50 , Ben Fleming
45+1 mins: POST! A huge chance before the break as Paralluelo’s sweeping effort comes within inches of doubling Spain’s lead. It just goes wide off the post but Spain head into the break 1-0 up and the far happier of the two sides.
England 0-1 Spain
11:48 , Ben Fleming
45 mins: Hemp has more space down the right side but her cross into the box lets her down and Spain just about hack it clear. Just one minute of added time to end this first half.
England 0-1 Spain
11:45 , Ben Fleming
42 mins; MISS! Big chance for England as they spring into life. Hemp gets some space down the right and she drills in a low cross to Toone. She has the goal at her mercy but can’t connect with the cross.
The offside flag goes up so it wouldn’t have counted but that’s more promising from the Lionesses.
England 0-1 Spain
11:41 , Ben Fleming
37 mins: More sloppy defending from England as Paredes is afforded far too much space in the box from a free-kick. The centre-back gets her header on goal but it’s blocked before she swipes her second effort well wide.
England 0-1 Spain
11:41 , Luke Baker
A pitch invader forced a delay in the Women’s World Cup final during the first half.
The game had been going on for 26 minutes when a man wearing a mask and with a political message on his shirt entered the field of play.
Anti-Putin protest interrupts Women’s World Cup final
England 0-1 Spain
11:38 , Ben Fleming
35 mins: England had to come from behind against Colombia in their quarter-final victory and they’ll have to do so again. Spain have looked good since that goal, controlling the ball and stifling England’s ability to mount an attack.
Pitch invader makes political message to interrupt Women’s World Cup final
11:36 , Jack Rathborn
GOAL! England 0-1 Spain (Carmona, ‘29)
11:32 , Ben Fleming
Spain are ahead and it’s the captain with the goal. Bronze gives away the ball on the right side and it’s her opposite number, Orga Carmona who latches onto the loose ball. The left-back surges into the box before unleashing a drive across goal and into the far corner.
She scored the vital goal in her nation’s semi-final win against Sweden and now she has a huge goal in the final.
England 0-0 Spain
11:30 , Ben Fleming
27 mins: Daly showcases her all-round game once again with a superbly timed tackle to win a goal-kick. Last season’s WSL top scorer showing she can do it all.
England 0-0 Spain
11:27 , Ben Fleming
23 mins: Hemp’s influence on this England team is evident in these early stages. The forward bursts through two Spanish tackles and wins a foul in the protest.
There’s a slight delay as a protester makes their way onto the pitch. Play continues but Spain clear away the resulting free-kick.
England 0-0 Spain
11:23 , Ben Fleming
20 mins: Chances flowing at both ends now as Hemp stings the palms of Cata in the Spanish goal. Straight at her but another threatening sign from the Manchester City forward.
England 0-0 Spain
11:21 , Ben Fleming
17 mins: CLOSE! Out of nowhere this game has sprung into life. A ball in from the left from Carmona is aimed at Paralluelo. She can’t connect fully but it runs through to Redondo whose effort is somehow kept out by a superb save from Earps.
And breathe…
England 0-0 Spain
11:19 , Ben Fleming
16 mins: OFF THE BAR! England so close to the opener as Hemp’s effort crashes off the bar! England’s forward is a fraction of space on the edge of the box and lets fly. Her effort has the beating of Cata but rebounds back off the bar.
England 0-0 Spain
11:18 , Ben Fleming
15 mins: Walsh with the ball inside England’s half but she’s dispossesed by Paralluelo. The ref blows up for a foul but a warning sign for England that they can’t be too comfortable on the ball.
England 0-0 Spain
11:15 , Ben Fleming
12 mins: A bit sloppy from Spain on that occasion. Russo can’t quite control the ball but it’s out for the first corner of the day. Cata comes through a crowded box well to claim the cross.
England 0-0 Spain
11:13 , Ben Fleming
10 mins: Not much to report from the opening ten minutes. England try to release Russo down the channel – that won’t be the first time we’ll be saying that – but this time the Spain defence deal with the threat well as they maintain their upper hand in terms of possession.
England 0-0 Spain
11:09 , Ben Fleming
6 mins: England have to be careful in transition as Redondo gets a bit too much space on the right. The Spaniard’s cross has a bit too much on it – thankfully for England – and the Lionesses can clear.
England 0-0 Spain
11:08 , Ben Fleming
5 mins: The first shot of the game falls to Lauren Hemp but it’s a comfortable save in goal for Cata.
England 0-0 Spain
11:06 , Jack Rathborn
3 mins: An even start to this encounter with both sides working their way into this huge encounter.
England 0-0 Spain
11:02 , Luke Baker
Anthems done, pre-match photos taken, pendants exchanged.
It’s time.
England kick off and the 2023 World Cup final is under way!
England vs Spain: Women’s World Cup final
10:58 , Ben Fleming
The players now make their way out onto the pitch. It’s time for the national anthems.
England vs Spain: Women’s World Cup final
10:54 , Ben Fleming
We’re less than ten minutes away from kick-off and the atmosphere in the stadium is feverish.
The players are in the tunnel as the World Cup trophy is paraded out onto the pitch.
England vs Spain: Women’s World Cup final
10:48 , Ben Fleming
Fans back home have shown up to watch the game at a number of public screenings:
England vs Spain: Women’s World Cup final
10:43 , Ben Fleming
In case you missed yesterday’s action, Sweden beat Australia to win World Cup third-place play-off for fourth time.
Sweden struck in either half to retain their World Cup best of the rest status with victory over co-hosts Australia in the third-place play-off.
A Fridolina Rolfo penalty and fine Kosovare Asllani strike secured a 2-0 win for Sweden, who never looked in danger of losing to the home favourites in Brisbane.
Read the full report below:
Sweden beat Australia to win World Cup third-place play-off for fourth time
Women’s World Cup Final – England’s tournament so far
10:36 , Ben Fleming
For England, it’s all been about building into the tournament. They’ve dealt with injuries before the tournament, during the tournament and suspensions but now stand just 90 minutes away from World Cup glory.
England’s road to the final:
Group stages
England 1-0 Haiti
England 1-0 Denmark
England 6-1 China
Round of 16
England 0-0 Nigeria (England won 4-2 on penalties)
Quater-final
England 2-1 Colombia
Semi-finals
England 3-1 Australia
Women’s World Cup Final – Spain’s tournament so far
10:31 , Ben Fleming
With half an hour until kick-off, let’s have a look at both sides’ journeys to this point. Spain had a humbling defeat at the end of the group stage against Japan but have recovered superbly to reach their first World Cup final:
Spain’s road to the final:
Group stages
Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
Spain 5-0 Zambia
Spain 0-4 Japan
Round of 16
Spain 5-1 Switzerland
Quater-final
Spain 2-1 Netherlands
Semi-finals
Spain 2-1 Sweden
England vs Spain: Women’s World Cup final
10:30 , Jack Rathborn
Women’s World Cup Final – build up ahead of kick-off
10:26 , Ben Fleming
The 22 players on the pitch will be joined by today’s referee – Tori Penso -who will take charge of England’s match against Spain in the World Cup final.
Penso also officiated England’s victory over co-hosts Australia in the semi-finals and will therefore take charge of the Lionesses for the second match in a row.
Find out more below:
World Cup final referee: Who will take charge of England vs Spain?
‘I’m just enjoying the moment’ – Bronze speaking to BBC Sport
10:20 , Ben Fleming
“I’m just enjoying the moment like I have in every game. We’ve played in this stadium and on this pitch two times now and once against the hosts so a lot of the girls are pretty relaxed. A lot of the girls are pretty relaxed and excited for the next 90 minutes.
“We’ve got the most experience coming into this, not just our players but also our manager is the only person who’s been in this position before so we can draw on the fact that we know how it goes under pressure, what it feels like – scoring goals in finals, conceding goals in finals, winning finals – I think it makes a big difference to how you start the game and hopefully it can give us that edge tonight.”
‘James is ready’ – Wiegman speaks to BBC Sport
10:14 , Ben Fleming
“I hope everyone who starts the pitch on the game will have an impact on the game. We have a lot of players who can impact the game when they came on. Of course, it is really nice to have Lauren James on the bench too and if necessary she is ready.
“We have spoken about our plan, the strengths and weaknesses of Spain and how we want to play. Want we mostly want to do is play our best game ever and also enjoy the moment because it’s very special.”
Women’s World Cup Final – confirmed team news
10:09 , Ben Fleming
A reminder if you have just joined us of the team news ahead of the final. Spain announced their team rather early, with the big news that Alexia Putellas will have to settle for a spot on the bench.
England, meanwhile, have opted to maintain the same eleven, meaning that James will stay on the bench with Toone starting for the Lionesses.
Spain XI: Cata, Batlle, Paredes, Codina, Olga, Abelleira, Bonmati, Hermoso, Redondo, Caldentey, Paralluelo
England XI: Earps; Carter, Bright, Greenwood; Bronze, Walsh, Stanway, Daly; Toone; Hemp, Russo
England stand on the brink of history — and a moment to change the game forever
10:06 , Ben Fleming
In the final days before a World Cup final, when every touch on the training ground is charged with greater tension, it’s still difficult not to revert to the lightness of youth. That is where the very meaning of all this is first set.
“When I was a kid we used to play ‘World Cup’ in the garden, where we had to score to stay in,” striker Alessia Russo smiles in England’s base. “It was having fun and playing free… as a kid growing up, to think we’re playing in a World Cup final in a couple of days is a special feeling.”
It is a feeling that is universal when it comes to this game, because this game is truly unique. Nothing else comes near. It is why everyone is here. Jenni Hermoso expressed exactly the same emotions in the Spain camp.
“Everything I do on the pitch I learned it on the street, playing in my neighbourhood, playing in the park underneath my grandparents’ house… of course you imagine winning, you visualise going back to Spain with the World Cup. I hope that dream becomes reality.”
The manner these players inspire next generations means these simple joys should not be forgotten, as all of these players seek to do something that will be remembered forever.
With under an hour till kick-off, read Miguel Delany’s World Cup final preview:
England stand on the brink of history – and a moment to change the game forever
England unchanged for World Cup final
09:54 , Ben Fleming
The big call was between James and Toone and Wiegman has stuck with the Manchester United attacking midfielder who scored in England’s 3-1 victory against Australia.
James lit up the early part of the tournament and she’ll be looking for a similar impact if called upon from the bench.
Lionesses inspect Stadium Australia pitch ahead of Women’s World Cup final
09:44 , Jack Rathborn
England unchanged for World Cup final
09:38 , Jamie Braidwood
England manager Sarina Wiegman has named an unchanged team for the Women’s World Cup final as Lauren James returns to the bench against Spain.
After successfully ending their run of semi-final defeats to beat hosts Australia in Sydney, Wiegman has stuck with the same side that impressively beat the Matildas 3-1 as Ella Toone keeps her place.
James was sent off for stamping on an opponent in England’s last-16 win over Nigeria but has now served her two-match suspension and could make an appearance off the bench.
Toone impressed with her performance against Australia and was also on the scoresheet as she scored the opening goal.
But James was one of the players of the World Cup during the group stages, scoring three goals, and could be the difference late on for England as they look to win the World Cup for the first time.
England XI: Earps; Carter, Bright, Greenwood; Bronze, Walsh, Stanway, Daly; Toone; Hemp, Russo
England ready to play ‘the game of our lives’ in World Cup final
09:31 , Jamie Braidwood
England captain Millie Bright ahead of the World Cup final: “I think for us we live in the moment, and yes it’s a World Cup final, but for us our mentality is it’s another game.
“I think our preparations don’t change no matter the stage in the tournament and to me that’s the key part of preparation.
“I want our players to prepare in any way they need to, like they normally do, and we’ve got a game plan that we have to go out and execute, but I think everyone knows how big this is.
“I think it’s been players’ dreams for years.
“We know how passionate our nation is back home and how much they want us to win. But for us, there is a process. We have a game plan to execute. We need to play the game of our lives.”
Why are England wearing blue kits for the World Cup final?
09:16 , Jamie Braidwood
While the fixture will obviously be held on a neutral ground, Spain are Team A for the final and thus have kit precedence.
That means that Jorge Vilda’s team will play in their red home strip, with dark blue shorts and socks.
While England might be expected to then wear their traditional white shorts, the Lionesses’ home kit now includes dark blue shorts after lobbying from players over concerns about wearing white during their periods.
The matching shorts necessitates a change: England will wear their light blue away kit for the final, with white socks.
Lionesses ‘transformed’ into winners since Euros
09:04 , Jack Rathborn
“2019 was heartbreaking, when the USA put us out. She was about to win European player of the year, it felt like we had missed something,” Jorge Bronze adds, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“The Euros gave us belief. We’ve been in the England set-up for a while, booking hotels each round. The Russo family just book straight to the final. They know what winners do, it’s nice to see the transformation and confidence of the players.”
Lucy Bronze ‘cold as ice’ for Women’s World Cup final
09:02 , Jack Rathborn
“Lucy hasn’t spoken to us for a few days, she’s as cold as ice,” says Lucy Bronze’s brother Jorge.
“Our job is to give them some downtime away from football. Be normal, play some Fifa, play some ping pong.
“Let the kids play with the girls. Make them relaxed. Once we’re out the way, it’s gametime.”
Women’s World Cup final: England vs Spain
09:01 , Jack Rathborn
The stage is set, it’s just over two hours until kick-off in Sydney.
The final is delicately poised, with not much to split the teams.
Will Spain’s decision to not start Putellas is a huge call, and one that will be debated long after the final no matter the outcome.
Jorge Vilda: Spain’s World Cup coach at the heart of a civil war
09:01 , Jamie Braidwood
With so much still unsaid around this Spain team, three statements before the World Cup final stood out all the more, that illustrate much of the story of their run.
One was Tere Abelleira immediately after the semi-final victory over Sweden in Auckland. “Now we can talk about a ferocious team spirit,” she said. It was as the midfielder was saying this in the Eden Park mixed zone that Jenni Hermoso was striding behind and shouting: “Come on! We’re in the final of the f***ing World Cup!”
That is now the most important fact of all. It was amid this mood of jubilation, however, that the abrasive Spanish federation boss Luis Rubiales came out with something that was much more open to dispute.
“What we have endured is a lot,” said Rubiales. “That questions have been asked of Jorge Vilda, who is a hard-working man, a world-class coach, who has turned down other federations that have offered more money and stayed with Spain. We have stuck with those who have always wanted to be here, that have valued the great work that he has done to grow, and we have forgotten the people with resentments. He has continued working with his people and not paid attention to those who wanted to destroy him.”
It was the first time at this World Cup that anyone in the camp has publicly raised the squad mutiny that has shaped Spain’s entire run.
By Miguel Delaney on Spain’s complicated World Cup
Jorge Vilda: Spain’s World Cup coach at the heart of a civil war
Women’s World Cup final team news as Spain leave out Alexia Putellas
08:48 , Jack Rathborn
Spain XI: Cata, Batlle, Paredes, Codina, Olga, Abelleira, Bonmati, Hermoso, Redondo, Caldentey, Paralluelo.
The big news for Spain is there is no Alexia Putellas, the Ballon d’Or holder.
Ella Toone or Lauren James? Sarina Wiegman has already made the biggest decision of England’s World Cup
08:44 , Jamie Braidwood
“England stand on the brink of greatness. The European champions are one victory away from being the best team in the world. But this has not been an easy tournament for Sarina Wiegman and her players.
“While the Euros saw emphatic victories – the best being 8-0 vs Norway and 4-0 vs Sweden in the semi-finals – and exultant home support, England have got into gear in a slower, more controlled way in this tournament (they did beat Sunday’s opponents Spain 2-1 in extra time. in their toughest “match in 2022 excluding the final, in case anyone had forgotten, but that was a rather different Spain team).
“Sarina is characterised for her consistency, bordering on stubbornness to her critics, but in this tournament she has had to change things up: the shift to a 3-5-2 against China was an inspired throw of the dice after some pretty drab stuff against Haiti and Denmark. The England head coach has also had to do without the enormously gifted Lauren James after her red card against Nigeria, having brought her in to start against the Danes. James was the best player in the group stages for England, scoring three and assisting three.
“But in her absence, two things have occurred…”
Read Lionesses legend Kelly Smith’s latest column ahead of the World Cup final
Sarina Wiegman has already made the biggest decision of England’s World Cup
Prince William blasted by Lionesses fans for missing Women’s World Cup final in Australia
08:31 , Jamie Braidwood
The Prince of Wales is facing criticism after it was confirmed that he will not attend the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney on Sunday.
Rishi Sunak has also come under fire for not having plans to attend the historic occasion for the England team in Australia.
The Lionesses are set to compete in their historic World Cup final against Spain, after they beat Australia 3-1 in the nail-biting semi-final on Wednesday.
Prince William, who is the president of the Football Association (FA), tweeted a personal message of congratulations following the victory over Australia, describing it was a “phenomenal performance”.
Kensington Palace confirmed that he will not fly to Australia to cheer the team on in the final, and instead would watch the match on television. It is understood that the decision was made because it would involve flying across the world for a very short period of time.
Lionesses fans blast Prince William for missing Women’s World Cup final
Sarina Wiegman: ‘Stop talking about the result — we know what we want’
08:17 , Jamie Braidwood
When it gets to this stage before a big game, even someone as experienced as Sarina Wiegman finds she can’t take her mind off it. Or, rather, she doesn’t want to take her mind off it, which is precisely why she’s so experienced.
“No, and I don’t want to relax,” she smiles.
“It’s Spain,” Wiegman says of her thoughts before taking on Sunday’s opponents. “Everything now is Spain. When you’re so close, well, I have that feeling a little bit anyway, but when you go to the next game, you’re only thinking ‘OK, what’s next? What can we get in front of us? What challenges can we expect? How are we going to prepare the team?
“I just want to get ready.”
Wiegman has ensured England have never been more ready. The national team are on the brink of bringing a decade-long project to glorious completion and winning a first ever Women’s World Cup because of her crucial influence. The 53-year-old from The Hague can now be classed as the best manager in the game. While the key elements of that story are tactics, patience, strategy and the will – as well as investment from the FA – to hire a manager this good, there is also something acutely personal.
Read Miguel Delaney’s in-depth piece on the Lionesses’s iconic manager
Sarina Wiegman: ‘Stop talking about the result — we know what we want’
Sarina Wiegman thankful for ‘dream’ support as World Cup final set to unite country
08:02 , Jamie Braidwood
England manager Sarina Wiegman said the Lionesses will feel the support of the country back home and urged her players to play their “best game ever” when they face Spain in the World Cup final in Sydney tomorrow.
The nation is set to come to a stop on Sunday morning as the Lionesses feature in England’s first World Cup final since 1966 and Wiegman said reaction to their historic success at the tournament has been a “dream”.
Wiegman led England to their groundbreaking victory at the European Championships last summer and said her players are determined to create another moment that will inspire lasting change for women’s football while uniting the nation.
“It’s really exciting to play the game tomorrow and we are eager to win it,” Wiegman said in her pre-match press conference at Stadium Australia. “It shows how football unites. It brings people together.
“It’s incredible what happened. We felt the support, we felt the support here, but also from the other side of the world in the UK. That’s something you dream of and we hope we play our best game ever tomorrow.”
Sarina Wiegman thankful for ‘dream’ support as World Cup final set to unite country
Harry Kane tells Lionesses to ‘bring it home’ and ‘we are all behind you’
07:48 , Jamie Braidwood
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka were among those to send a message of support to the Lionesses ahead of the World Cup final against Spain.
Kane said: “Best of the luck for the final. I’ll be watching. Amazing journey so far, you should be really proud of yourselves. We’re all behind you and we know you can do it. Bring that trophy home.”
Meanwhile, England men’s boss Gareth Southgate admitted he had “no advice” to offer a team that has accomplished what his has not.
Southgate said: “Hi to you all out there in Australia. You’re doing a brilliant job, so that’s the first thing, and of course there is no advice because you’ve done more than us already, and you know what is needed to win. So all that remains is to wish you the very best for the final, and we hope you can bring that trophy back. Good luck everybody.”
King urges Lionesses to ‘roar to victory’ in Women’s World Cup final
07:36 , Jamie Braidwood
The King has urged the Lionesses to “roar to victory” in the Women’s World Cup final.
Charles’ rallying cry came on the eve of England’s historic showdown with Spain at the Stadium Australia in Sydney.
“Good luck today Lionesses, and may you roar to victory,” Charles said in a message posted on social media on Saturday.
Queen Letizia of Spain is set to travel to Australia for the final, while UK royals are staying at home.
Both Prince William and prime minister Rishi Sunak will also not be attending the game.
World Cup final referee: Who will take charge of England vs Spain?
07:25 , Jamie Braidwood
American referee Tori Penso will take charge of England’s match against Spain in the World Cup final.
Penso also officiated England’s victory over co-hosts Australia in the semi-finals and will therefore take charge of the Lionesses for the second match in a row.
The ground-breaking MLS referee booked both Alex Greenwood and Chloe Kelly during the semi-final, which the Lionesses won 3-1 in Sydney, but there could have been many more after the 90 minutes saw a number of heavy challenges.
World Cup final referee: Who will take charge of England vs Spain?
England vs Spain predicted line-ups: Team news ahead of Women’s World Cup final
07:11 , Jamie Braidwood
Sarina Wiegman has a big decision to make as England face Spain in the Women’s World Cup final and the Lionesses look to win the game’s biggest prize for the first time.
After successfully ending their run of semi-final defeats to beat hosts Australia in Sydney, Wiegman must decide whether she will bring star forward Lauren James back into her starting line-up for the final.
James was sent off for stamping on an opponent in England’s last-16 win over Nigeria but has now served her two-match suspension is available to play in the final.
England’s Ella Toone impressed with her performance against Australia and was also on the scoresheet as she scored the opening goal, so the Manchester United midfielder will be difficult to drop.
But James was one of the players of the World Cup during the group stages, scoring three goals, and could be the difference for England as they look to win the World Cup for the first time.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the World Cup final
England vs Spain team news and predicted line-ups
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin snubs Women’s World Cup final
06:59 , Jamie Braidwood
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin will not be attending the Women’s World Cup final, despite the European confederation having two teams at the Sydney final in Spain and England.
Uefa will instead be represented by Nadine Kessler, technical director of the women’s game for the body.
Ceferin’s absence is the latest in a series of snubs from figures who purportedly support or represent the women’s game, including president of the FA Prince William, and UK prime minister Rishi Sunak.
The length of the journey to Australia was put down as a primary reason for Ceferin’s snub.
Exclusive by Miguel Delaney
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin snubs Women’s World Cup final
How England changed the World Cup and found their greatest strength
06:39 , Jamie Braidwood
England were “struggling”. Two games into the World Cup and the final seemed a long way away. Despite the opening wins against Haiti and Denmark, England needed to change. While players and managers at major tournaments often repeat the line that results are all that matter, Sarina Wiegman was more concerned with how her side were underperforming. The Lionesses were faced with a lack of creativity and a vulnerability to the counterattack.
But Wiegman and her coaching team had a backup plan. A change in formation was an idea she and her staff discussed in April when they were designing a way for England to be more unpredictable at the World Cup. A 3-5-2 system was identified as a way to get more from certain players in the squad and play to their strengths, while also giving their opponents something new to think about. Still, when Wiegman was faced with the decision to rip up England’s approach and start again, she required courage and conviction to commit to it.
This is how Sarina Wiegman changed England’s World Cup
How England changed the World Cup and found their greatest strength
Sunak to Lionesses: ‘You have made us proud — I will be cheering from home’
06:19 , Jamie Braidwood
The Prime Minister has told England’s Lionesses that the “whole nation is rooting for you” as they prepare to take on Spain in the Women’s World Cup final.
In a letter, Rishi Sunak wished England boss Sarina Wiegman and her players good luck for the final in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, telling them: “You’ve made us all proud.”
Mr Sunak has opted not to attend the southern hemisphere final in person, sending Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer to Australia to represent the UK Government.
Addressing the letter to “Sarina and all our Lionesses”, the Prime Minister said: “On behalf of the entire country, I want to wish you the best of luck against Spain in the World Cup final!
“Once again, this summer, you’ve made us all proud. From beating the Aussies in their own backyard to winning that penalty shoot-out, you have inspired us with your skill, teamwork and courage.
“This weekend, like millions of others, I will be watching and cheering you on.
“But whatever the result, I want you to know that you have already secured a lasting legacy: that every girl in this country will have equal access to all school sport, including football.”
England stand on the brink of history — and a moment to change the game forever
06:03 , Jamie Braidwood
In the final days before a World Cup final, when every touch on the training ground is charged with greater tension, it’s still difficult not to revert to the lightness of youth. That is where the very meaning of all this is first set.
“When I was a kid we used to play ‘World Cup’ in the garden, where we had to score to stay in,” striker Alessia Russo smiles in England’s base. “It was having fun and playing free… as a kid growing up, to think we’re playing in a World Cup final in a couple of days is a special feeling.”
It is a feeling that is universal when it comes to this game, because this game is truly unique. Nothing else comes near. It is why everyone is here. Jenni Hermoso expressed exactly the same emotions in the Spain camp.
“Everything I do on the pitch I learned it on the street, playing in my neighbourhood, playing in the park underneath my grandparents’ house… of course you imagine winning, you visualise going back to Spain with the World Cup. I hope that dream becomes reality.”
The manner these players inspire next generations means these simple joys should not be forgotten, as all of these players seek to do something that will be remembered forever.
England vs Spain – World Cup final preview, by Miguel Delaney
England stand on the brink of history – and a moment to change the game forever
How to watch England vs Spain: TV channel and kick-off time for Women’s World Cup final
06:03 , Jamie Braidwood
Good morning! It’s World Cup final day and the nation is set to come to a halt as the Lionesses play Spain in Sydney for the game’s biggest prize.
England are in their first World Cup final, men’s or women’s, in 57 years on what is a historic occasion . Manager Sarina Wiegman has urged her players to block out the “noise” of 1966 as England look to add the World Cup title to last year’s Euros triumph.
The Lionesses reached the World Cup final for the first time with their 3-1 win over Australia in the semi-finals, with Wiegman’s side managing to stay cool to defeat the hosts with a clinical display in Sydney.
Spain, who are also playing the first Women’s World Cup final, have navigated a player mutiny off the pitch and questions surrounding their manager Jorge Vilda, but ‘La Roja’ remain dangerous opponents and are led by their contingent of Barcelona stars.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the World Cup final and find latest tips for the game itself here.
England vs Spain: Kick-off time and how to watch World Cup final on TV
Spain and England football fans dance together at Women’s World Cup final
10:21 , Jack Rathborn
