Spain win Women’s World Cup as Olga Carmona strike breaks England hearts

Heartbreak. Sarina Wiegman had urged her European champions to play the game of their lives in the World Cup final. They did, but against a mesmeric Spain the game of England’s lives was not enough to put a first star on the shirt.

Instead, a Spain side who dominate the ball with fluid, efficient beauty will have a first gold star stitched above their crest. A Spain side riddled with controversy and divisions still prevailed, the left-back Olga Carmona’s first-half strike the difference, because their brand of football just cannot be stopped.

This was always going to be a difficult test of England’s resilience; how long could they withstand the pressure of Spain’s possession-heavy play? The Lionesses had only 36% possession in the opening half. When they did have the ball Spain’s press was relentless, forcing errors from Wiegman’s charges, who just couldn’t release the ball fast enough.

England had chances, with Alessia Russo’s stumbling flick-on to Lauren Hemp allowing the forward to get a shot away that lacked power and was straight at the 22-year-old goalkeeper Catalina Coll. Hemp got another gilt-edged chance 16 minutes in, lashing a shot off the bar. Spain broke, though, with a cross from the left missed by Paralluelo but smacked goalward by Alba Redondo, who forced a smart stop from Mary Earps.

Paralluelo was a thorn in England’s side from the off. She was penalised for tripping England’s captain, Millie Bright, as she attempted to round her and minutes later as Spain broke two-on-two she pinged the ball straight at Alex Greenwood, who turned it out for a throw-in.

Hemp had another chance, attempting to curl the ball around Coll but placing it too close to the keeper.

Spain’s goal was coming, though, and it a lapse in composure from England’s most experienced head proved costly. Lucy Bronze drove infield but was dispossessed centrally, Spain pounced on the out-of-position wing-back, Ona Batlle pinging the ball into the space vacated by Bronze and Mariona Caldentey met it, played to Carmona on the overlap and the left-back stroked it past the diving hand of Earps into the far corner.

The save roared the England-heavy 75,784-strong crowd to life and James went close not long afterwards, overlapping on Hemp before forcing Coll to tip the ball over. There was a hopefulness to England’s play, but with each drive forward and time ticking down the chances of being caught on the counter grew.

There was a lengthy stoppage after Greenwood, who had the most touches, chances created and passes of anyone in the tournament, took a heavy blow to the forehead from Paralluelo’s knee, the Spaniard being booked.

England pushed but Spain were ruthlessly organised, the masters of control and dark arts at the close, slowing the game into a stop-start mess that prevented the Lionesses from getting any rhythm.

The future is bright for England despite defeat. The absence of injured players prompted expectations to drop before the World Cup. A final was beyond many people’s wildest dreams. Terrifyingly, though, Spain will be back stronger too; their off-field woes will surely be resolved eventually despite the success under Vilda’s divisive leadership. Spain dominated despite him – imagine what they could look like unified.