Olga Carmona sealed Women’s World Cup glory for Spain in Sydney with a first-half goal that clinched a 1-0 victory against England.
Carmona had scored a stunning late goal in the 2-1 semifinal win against Sweden, and the left-back struck again to claim Spain’s first women’s world title.
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European champions England had gone into the game as slight favourites, having beaten Spain on the way to winning Euro 2022 last year.
And the Lionesses went close to opening the scoring early in the game when Lauren Hemp struck the crossbar with a left-foot strike from Rachel Daly’s pass 20 yards out.
Spain responded straightaway when Alba Redondo forced goalkeeper Mary Earps into a crucial save two minutes later.
But after Hemp saw another chance go awry with a weak effort from close range, Spain took the lead when they capitalised on Lucy Bronze losing the ball in midfield.
Spain launched a quick counterattack that saw the ball find Carmona, following a Mariona Caldentey lay-off, bursting forward down the left.
The Real Madrid Femenino defender controlled the ball before guiding a left-foot strike beyond Earps into the far corner to put Jorge Vilda’s team ahead.
England struggled to get a foothold in the game, as Spain dominated possession and La…
