England’s World Cup run ends in heartache as Spain claim their first title

Spain have won the Women’s World Cup for the first time after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over England in the final at Stadium Australia.

Olga Carmona’s fine first-half goal, drilled beyond Mary Earps into the far corner from a tight angle after 29 minutes, proved decisive in Sydney. Spain had the chance to double their lead in the second half when Keira Walsh was penalised for a handball after a VAR referral, but Earps saved Jennifer Hermoso’s spot-kick.

The Lionesses eventually ran out of time in their attempt to add a first World Cup title to last year’s Euros crown. “We gave everything, we had chances – we just didn’t have that final edge today,” said the England captain, Millie Bright. “We’re absolutely heartbroken, [but] we can say hand on heart that we gave everything.”

“Most of all I feel disappointment, because when you play a final you want to win it,” said the England manager, Sarina Wiegman. “So that is mainly how I feel. Spain played a little better than we did. We gave everything. The opponent was very strong.

“We gave it everything we could,” added Wiegman, who also lost the 2019 final when in charge of the Netherlands. “When you see how many challenges we have had before and in the tournament, how we took [on] every challenge. No regrets.”

Instead, it is Spain on top of the world for the first time, surging to the title despite divisions within their squad and a 4-0 group-stage defeat to Japan. Spain’s Queen Letizia was among the 75,784 spectators watching on, joining the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino to present the team with the trophy.

The Spain midfielder, Aitana Bonmatí, was named player of the tournament. “I don’t have any words for this moment, it’s unbelievable,” she said of the team’s victory. “I’m so proud. We deserve it. We have been working a lot of years for this moment.”

“I’m struggling for words,” the former England player Karen Carney told ITV. “That group there, I thought we had it. I was so confident going into the game, but just one brilliant moment from Spain really … I’m struggling and gutted because the players gave it everything [but] Spain were excellent tonight.”

The culture secretary, Lucy Frazer, said: “Congratulations to Spain. We are all proud of the Lionesses and the World Cup campaign they fought.

“They inspired millions across the country with glorious performances, moments of magic and relentless determination and desire. An incredible journey has come to an end but it will never be forgotten.”

The sports minister, Stuart Andrew, added: “Thank you to all the Lionesses and for inspiring us all with such a fantastic World Cup run.It just wasn’t to be tonight, but the entire country has loved every moment of the journey.”