Defeated England in dramatic final
Updated 16:14 | Published at 2:02 p.m
SYDNEY/STOCKHOLM. Spain are world champions.
Olga Carmona decided – and paid tribute to her best friend’s mother who had just passed away.
– It was for their family, says the match hero.
Only Germany has done it before.
But now Spain has also managed to win WC gold on both the men’s and women’s side.
– I do not know what to say. We have just been out with our families out on the field, they have made it possible for us, says Aitana Bonmatí.
This after the Spanish ladies’ victory in the final against England – where Real Madrid’s Olga Carmona was decisive again.
Nice greeting
The left-back opened the scoring in the 29th minute – shortly after England’s Lauren Hemp had a ball over the bar.
Carmona came into the penalty area and put the ball right next to Mary Earp’s far post.
After the goal, she pulled up her shirt and revealed a message written on an undershirt.
“Merchi”, it said in big black letters – a greeting to a friend’s mother.
– A couple of days ago the mother of one of my best friends died. I think about them. It was for their family, says Carmona.
Won – despite the penalty miss
20 minutes into the second half, England’s curtain was coming down completely. Mariona Caldentey made her way into the penalty area whereupon the ball touched Keira Walsh’s hand and after several minutes of VAR review Spain were awarded a penalty.
Jennifer Hermoso stepped forward but Earps went the right way, glued the ball and kept England in the game. Before that, Lucy Bronze had been at the penalty spot for a long time and seemingly psyched Hermoso out.
Bolstered by the penalty save, England pressed for an equalizer but it was not to be. Olga Carmona’s goal was enough all the way – and Spain secured a historic World Cup gold.
Been stormy
The Spanish national team year has otherwise been marked by the big player boycott and disagreement with national team captain Jorge Vilda and the national team.
The team entered the WC as a question mark and with several star players still boycotting. But despite all the cracks and controversies, they are world champions on the women’s side for the first time.
– When we land in Spain, we will realize what we have done, says Olga Carmona.
– I feel proud that the whole of Spain is now watching us. The future belongs to Spain, says Jennifer Hermoso.
FACT
They were praised by Fifa:
Best player of the tournament: Aitana Bonmatí (Spain)
Second best player of the tournament: Jenni Hermoso (Spain)
Third best player of the tournament: Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden)
Best goalkeeper of the tournament: Mary Earps (England)
Best young player of the tournament: Salma Paralluelo (Spain)
Shooting League Winner: Hinata Miyazawa, 5 goals (Japan)
Read more full screen Photo: Pontus Orre full screen Carmona celebrates his 1-0 goal against England in the WC final. Photo: PONTUS ORRE.
2023-08-20 13:07:30
#Wins #gold #time
