SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By Arnie Leshin
Despite a near-mutiny by its players last year, Spain came away with its first-ever Women’s World Soccer championship via a 1-0 win over England Sunday.
It was a treat for the United States viewers as the early morning match was shown at noon Sunday on Fox, with the actual game being played at 4 a.m. Sunday at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
The lone goal came from Spain captain Olga Carmona, who also tallied the decisive goal in the 2-1 semifinals win over Sweden.
This time, in the 29th minute, the 23-year-old Carmona followed up a lost possession from the Brit’s Lucy Bronze by booting a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Mary Earps.
Spain, which became the first women’s team to win world championships in the under-17, under-20 and seniors, had a chance to double the score in the 68th when a handball penalty was called on Keira Walsh, but Jenni Hermoso’s shot was saved by Earps.
It was one of many excellent saves by Earps and Spain keeper Aime Call also had some stellar stops. Both sides got away good shots but failed to finish because of the splendid goalkeeping and team work.
In all, Spain took 12 shots, eight on goal, while England got away 10 shots of which seven were on goal.
“They’re a fantastic team,” said Britain’s captain Millie Bright. “We didn’t have a good first half and played better in the second half but just couldn’t get it in the goal.”
She added that it was a huge disappointment for her country, which still awaits its initial title
in this prestigious event.
As for Spain, this triumph comes after the near-mutiny by its players last year. Their were coaching problems, some of the players took off temporarily by citing some health issues, but came back and that is now history.
Three of these players though — Ona Batle, Atania Bommati and Moriana Cedeney — did reconcile with the federation and were at the World Cup.
England had momentum going into this tournament after winning the European
championship at home last summer that included a quarterfinal win over Spain.
Spain coach Jorge Vilda went with his same lineup from the Sweden match and it delivered
offensively and on defense, and the solo goal proved to be enough.
Spain celebrated with a wild celebration at its goal, kissed the trophy, and then made its way to the presentation ceremony.
“I’m proud of my ladies,” Vilda said, “they came to play and did so against a very good opponent.”
England coach Sarina Weigman felt her team had plenty of play in it, even got away some good shots at goal, but it just wasn’t enough.
“It’s over,” she said, “and hopefully we will return.”
Weigman was the first coach to take her teams to back-to-back World Cup title matches. She previously led the Netherlands to the final in 2019, but fell 2-0 to the United States, thus she is 0-2 at the event finals.
