SYDNEY — This time the tactical tweaks, replacements and sheer grit weren’t enough to get England across the line. With Spain holding on to their 1-0 lead they so expertly crafted in the 29th minute, the final throw of the dice saw England crowd the opposition’s penalty area for one last corner in the 103rd minute of the match. But unlike last summer, this time there was no Chloe Kelly moment. There was no fairy-tale ending.
As the final whistle blew, Lucy Bronze fell to the floor; she covered her face with her shirt. Beth England bent down to console her. Mary Earps, who had come up for the corner, hunched to her knees back in her own penalty area, the one she had protected for so long. Alex Greenwood stood picking at the bandage on her head, having split her eyebrow open on Salma Paralluelo‘s knee. Other players stood looking shell-shocked; for some the tears broke through. It was a scene of desolation.
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This time it was the Lionesses who watched on as the other team celebrated. It was…
