Spain win Women's World Cup after defeating England in Sydney final

Spain have won the Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 victory over England in Sunday’s final.

Olga Carmona scored the only goal of the game to secure the trophy as they gained revenge against the European Champions for last year’s defeat at Wembley.

Jorge Vilda’s Spanish side, who also missed a late penalty, were well worthy of their win after dominating the game for long periods as they became world champions for the first time.

Both sides were competing in their first ever Women’s World Cup final in the game played at the Stadium Australia in Sydney.

Sarina Wiegman named an unchanged starting line-up with Ella Toone retaining her place, while Lauren James, who returned after serving a two-match suspension for a stamp against Nigerian, started on the bench.

Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas was named amongst the substitutes for Spain, as teenage forward Salma Paralluelo earned the start.

England nearly took an early lead through midfielder Lauren Hemp, but she was denied by the woodwork when her effort hit the bar.

Spain grew into the game first and had the lion’s share of possession and were denied after a great save by Mary Earps from Alba Redondo’s close range effort.

Paralluelo then hit the post as the opening goal started to look inevitable with England trying to hold off until half-time and struggling to get a foothold on the game.

Play was briefly paused after a male pitch invader ran on from the left corner of the pitch near Spain’s goal and was promptly tackled and escorted off by security.

Just a few minutes later Spain made it 1-0 when Mariona Caldentey slipped the ball to the onrushing Olga Carmona, who finished past Earps with a left-footed effort into the bottom right corner.

Lauren James was introduced in the action at the break but it was Spain who started the second-half the way they finished the first and Earps was forced into another save, this time from Mariona Caldentey, just three minutes into the restart.

England came close to an equaliser soon after when Hemp arrived at the back post to connect with a Walsh cross, but her effort was just wide of the post.

Spain were then awarded a penalty for a Walsh handball after a lengthy VAR check, but Earps kept out Jenni Hermoso’s low effort to deny the second goal and keep England in the game with 20 minutes remaining.

Thirteen minutes were added on at the end and Earps was yet-again to thank for keeping the scoreline at 1-0 when she saved from Ona Batle in injury time.

Spain not only held out for the win but also looked the most likely team to score in the closing stages as both teams tired.