Spain hardly dared to believe it. The match promised to be difficult; the adversaries, formidable. But La Roja held on. Sunday August 20, at the Stadium Australia in Sydney, she invited herself into the circle of the great nations of football by winning the final of the Women’s World Cup against England, reigning European champions, thanks to a goal from her captain, Olga Carmona. Final score: 1-0. A first, for the selection, which allows Spain to become the fifth country to lift the trophy and the second, with Germany, to have been crowned at this level in men (in 2010) and in women.
“It’s madness, a unique moment. We don’t think about anything, just celebrate. I’m not aware of it yet. When we land in Spain, we will realize what we have done. There, we will really realize that we are world champions “, rejoiced Olga Carmona, after the meeting. Same amazement on the side of midfielder Aitana Bonmati, named best player of the tournament: “I am in shock but very happy and proud. It’s every footballer’s dream. I can’t ask for anything more. » And the FC Barcelona resident to recall her debut on the pitch “with the boys”before discussing the “steps taken”. “We deserved it, we worked a lot”summed up Salma Paraluello, 19, elected revelation of this World Cup.
After a balanced start to the game, Spain gradually picked up the pace before taking advantage of an error by FC Barcelona’s English defender Lucy Bronze, who lost the ball in the center circle, to counter-attack. Perfectly shifted to the left, the captain, Olga Carmona, 23, crossed her shot low to the ground and deceived the goalkeeper of the Three Lionesses, Mary Earps (29e). It was already her who had scored the winning goal in the semi-finals against Sweden (2-1).
In a more disjointed second half, his troops could have made their task easier if Jennifer Hermoso’s penalty had not been stopped by the English door. “We suffered especially during the thirteen minutes of stoppage time. With the penalty and the minutes that passed, the referee took a lot of time. We knew we were going to suffer. We get nothing for nothing, that’s football.”will later recognize striker Alba Redondo.
“A truer, more authentic football”
For just over two hours, Spain lived to the rhythm of its players. Nothing mattered anymore, neither the relentless heat nor the uncertain political situation resulting from the July 23 elections. The country had only for its daughters, who played on the other side of the world. Despite the heat wave, many cities had installed giant screens to allow thousands of fans to follow the match. These fans who, in recent weeks, have enthusiastically discovered the exploits of their team, celebrated the hard-won victories and suffered the defeat, too, against Japan (4-0), on July 31.
You have 50.75% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.