AS IT HAPPENED: Spain reign with maiden Women's World Cup crown as England fall despite Earps heroics

England and Spain seek history when they clash in the 2023 Women’s World Cup Final in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8pm (AEST).

It all comes down to this. Just two teams remain standing after an arduous tournament and the Lionesses of England take on the might of Spain to decide who sits atop the world of women’s football.

It has been a solid run for England team to the final. The Matildas were outclassed in the semi-final last Wednesday, Colombia were overcome in the quarters and the team’s only real scare came in a penalty shootout win over Nigeria during the Round of 16. Three wins in the group stage saw them advance easily and the Lionesses have slowly but surely emerged as the team to beat, especially since shock losses to the USA, Germany and Netherlands.

While England will enter as firm favourites, Spain have had a similarly impressive tournament, snatching a late winner against the Swedes in the semi-final and knocking off the Netherlands, Switzerland and Japan earlier in the tournament.

However, this will be their toughest test to date, and the front line of Lauren Hemp, Alessio Russo and Ella Toone is a potent one for England, with a key talking point also being the return of Lauren James after her two-match suspension. The solid three at the back approach to defence has helped build an overload in the midfield for them and the Spanish will have to overcome that if they are to have any chance tonight.

Jenni will be the focal point up front for Spain with the task for wide defenders Ona Batlle and Olga Carmona crucial to the result.

Prediction

In what will be a brutal encounter where no quarter is given, England will win their first women’s World Cup with a pair of second half goals.

England 2 Spain 0

Game Information

Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
Kick-off: 8pm (AEST)
TV: Channel 7
Streaming: 7Plus, Optus Sport
Betting: Spain $2.65, draw $3.00, England $2.80 – odds via PlayUp

Teams

Spain

Goalkeepers: Cata Coll (FC Barcelona), Misa Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Enith Salon (Valencia)
Defenders: Ivana Andres (Real Madrid), Ona Batlle (Barcelona), Olga Carmona (Real Madrid), Laia Codina (Barcelona), Rocio Galvez (Real Madrid), Oihane Hernandez (Athletic Club), Irene Paredes (Barcelona)
Midfielders: Teresa Abelleira (Real Madrid), Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona), Irene Guerrero (Levante), Jennifer Hermoso (Pachuca), Maria Perez (Barcelona), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona), Claudia Zornoza (Real Madrid),
Forwards: Mariona Caldentey (Barcelona), Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid), Esther Gonzalez (Real Madrid), Eva Navarro (Atletico Madrid), Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona), Alba Redondo (Levante)

Coach: Jorge Vilda

England

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Laura Coombs (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone, (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Bethany England (Tottenham Hotspur), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Katie Robinson (Brighton), Alessia Russo (Manchester United)

Coach: Sarina Wiegman

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Stuart Thomas

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Stuart Thomas is a sports writer and educator who made the jump from Roar Guru to Expert in 2017. An ex-trainee professional golfer, his sporting passions are broad with particular interests in football, AFL and rugby league. His love of sport is only matched by his passion for gardening and self-sustainability.