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SYDNEY — Spain are the brand new Ladies’s World Cup champions, beating England 1-0 at Stadium Australia to develop into first-time winners.

Though Spain had a lot of possession in comparison with England, their decisive opening purpose got here from a fast counter-attack. After successful the ball within the midfield, Teresa Abelleira switched the purpose of assault to Mariona Caldentey, who slipped it for Olga Carmona to run onto for a one-time strike.

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A missed penalty from Jennifer Hermoso might have doubled Spain’s lead, however England goalkeeper Mary Earps, the Lionesses finest participant on the day, did nicely to learn the shot and maintain onto the ball.

In reality, Spain regarded just like the far superior group, passing circles round England as the sport wore on. Spain out-shot their opponents 11 to 7 in a match that definitely wasn’t a cakewalk for La Roja, however the end result by no means actually regarded doubtful as soon as they’d taken the lead.

For England, it is a disappointing follow-up to their thrilling and dominant win on the Euros final summer time. The Lionesses had knocked Spain out of that event within the quarterfinals, and Spain obtained the final word revenge.

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Participant rankings (0-10; 10 = finest; 5 = common)

Spain

GK Cata Coll, 6 — England did not drive a lot out of her.

DF Olga Carmona, 7 — A giant blunder gifted England a transparent scoring probability within the sixteenth minute, however she made up for it with a wonderful end to attain the one purpose of the sport.

DF Laia Codina, 6 — Wasn’t very noticeable on the market, which is an efficient factor for defenders.

DF Irene Paredes, 7 — A effective efficiency that stored England at bay.

DF Ona Batlle, 7 — Repeatedly misplaced possession going ahead, however was strong sufficient in protection when she wanted to be. Defended a Hemp probability nicely shortly after half-time.

MF Jenni Hermoso, 5 — A comparatively quiet night time for her till her penalty within the 69th minute, which was saved.

MF Teresa Abelleira, 7 — It was her change that led to Spain’s opening purpose. It might have been probably the most affect she made all night time, however it was sufficient

MF Aitana Bonmatí, 8 — She sparked a few good assaults within the center. Accomplished 95% of her passes and was named Participant of the Match after the match.

FW Mariona Caldentey, 7 — Pressured a diving save from England’s goalkeeper within the forty ninth minute, and fed the ball that led to Spain’s purpose.

FW Salma Paralluelo, 7 — Fired a shot off the publish within the closing sequence of play earlier than half-time, however hit a transparent probability broad within the sixty fourth minute. She was a handful for England all night time.

FW Alba Redondo, 6 — A comparatively quiet night time, however she did make the England again line work.

Substitutes (Gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score.)

FW Oihane Hernández, 5 (on for Redondo, 60″) — Could not affect the sport a lot.

DF Ivana Andrés, NR (on for Codina, 73″) — Restricted probability to point out something.

FW Alexia Putellas, NR (on for Caldentey, 90″) — It was a little bit of a shock when Putellas did not begin, however getting back from harm she by no means regarded 100% and so Paralluelo took her spot. Not an opportunity for Putellas to meaningfully contribute.

England

GK Mary Earps, 8 — Made an enormous save from shut vary within the seventeenth minute, after which saved a penalty within the 69th. One other massive save within the ninetieth minute stored England’s hopes alive, regardless of the below-par performances of her teammates. She actually couldn’t be blamed for Spain’s opening purpose.

DF Alex Greenwood, 7 — Put in a good defensive shift and linked with most of her passes.

DF Millie Brilliant, 7 — Stood up comparatively nicely to Spain’s assaults.

DF Jessica Carter, 6 — Had some good clearances however her pass-completion price was poor.

LW Rachel Daly, 5 — Spain repeatedly attacked down Daly’s aspect. Though she at instances gained possession, she was additionally caught too excessive and did not make an affect going ahead. Acquired taken off at half-time.

MF Ella Toone, 5 — A nasty giveaway from Toone within the fortieth minute finally wasn’t punished.

MF Keira Walsh, 4 — Acquired her pocket picked too simply a pair instances. Dedicated what regarded like an intentional handball to concede a penalty

MF Georgia Stanway, 5 — Comparatively ineffective the night time, but additionally no horrible blunders.

RW Lucy Bronze, 4 — Proper earlier than Spain’s purpose, she tried to take the ball herself, dribbling via the midfield, after which when she misplaced possession she threw a tantrum as an alternative of monitoring again; Spain attacked down her aspect to attain. Was poor going ahead on the whole.

FW Lauren Hemp, 6 — Had a few good probabilities that would have turned the sport on its head early. A well-placed shot within the fifth minute from contained in the field lacked the tempo to beat Spain’s goalkeeper, and within the sixteenth minute she fired one off the crossbar.

FW Alessia Russo, 4 — Her efficiency was a combined bag, typically beating strain and successful corners, however a nasty contact of hers killed a promising assault within the nineteenth minute and two minutes later she handed to nobody, promptly shedding the ball. Was substituted at half-time.

Substitutes (Gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score.)

LW Chloe Kelly, 5 (on for Daly, 45″) — Rapidly made an affect, getting a wonderful cross into the trail of Hemp, who could not end. Wasted an assault within the sixtieth minute with an errant cross.

MF Lauren James, 5 (on for Toone, 45″) — A troublesome night time, booed by sections of the gang each time she touched the ball after FIFA solely gave her a two-match ban for her crimson card vs. Nigeria. She had a pleasant shot within the seventy fifth that drive the goalkeeper to tip it over the bar. Handed the ball out of bounds for no cause within the 53rd minute, killing one among England’s few promising assaults.

MF Beth England, NR (on for Toone, 87″) — Couldn’t present the spark the Lionesses wanted.