Captain Olga Carmona leads the way as Spain triumph in FIFA Women’s World Cup final

At Stadium Australia, Sydney: Spain 1 (Olga Carmona 29’) England 0 HT: 1-0

Spain are on top of the world after winning the first FIFA Women’s World Cup staged Down Under.

La Roja have been crowned champions for the first time in the country’s history after defying a player revolt to beat England 1-0 in a high-energy tournament final at Sydney’s Stadium Australia on Sunday.

Spain arrived in New Zealand and Australia without some of their best players, following a dispute with coach Jorge Vilda and the Spanish Football Federation in the wake of last year’s European Championships.

But the under-strength squad showed incredible resilience to go all the way, with Vilda still at the helm.

As Spain danced in celebration once the fulltime whistle blew, having matched the efforts of the men’s team that won the World Cup in 2010, Vilda was seen jumping with joy but largely ignored by his players.

Captain Olga Carmona scored the match-winner in the final with a crisp strike from the left midway through the first half, punishing a mistake from England’s Barcelona right wingback Lucy Bronze.

The 23-year-old left-back scored the goal that sent Spain into their first final, and she came up clutch again in the final.

Bronze, one of two England players who play their club football in Spain, went on a marauding run through the middle of the field but was stopped in her tracks by Aitana Bonmati, and turned the ball over.

Teresa Abelleira was alert and immediately lofted the ball over to where Bronze should have been stationed.

Mariona Caldentey drew right centre-back Jess Carter and Carmona made an overlapping run on her outside.

Unmarked, Carmona hit a first-time shot into the bottom right corner of the goal and celebrated the biggest goal in the history of Spanish women’s football by lifting her shirt up to reveal an apparent message to her former school.

The Real Madrid left-back had only scored once for her country before the World Cup.

Spain made one change to their starting lineup, reinstating teenage sensation Salma Paralluelo and dropping Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas to the bench.

Paralluelo is a former sprinter and her runs in caused plenty of problems for England’s back three.

The 19-year-old hit the outside of the right post with the final kick of the first half, but she should have done better with an earlier chance after failing to get her toe to a wonderful cross from Carmona.

The ball raced through to Alba Redondo at the back post, but her shot was well saved by Mary Earps.

The final was expected to be closely fought but despite the narrow scoreline, Spain bossed the match with their possession-based game allowing them to dictate terms.

Earps saved a penalty midway through the second half to keep England within one.

Referee Tori Penso awarded a penalty to Spain for handball following a VAR review.

Caldentey drove into the box and the ball brushed the hand of Keira Walsh.

Spain’s all-time leading scorer Jenni Hermoso stepped up to take the spot-kick but her shot, down low to the right, lacked conviction and was saved by Earps, who guessed the right way.

The save kept England in the game, but they were unable to breakdown Spain’s defence.

After serving her two-match suspension, England coach Sarina Wiegman resisted temptation to start star midfielder Lauren James.

She was injected into the game at the start of the second half along with Chloe Kelly as England looked for a way back into the game, but ultimately failed to make the impact they needed.

Wiegman has now lost two World Cup finals, having tasted defeat as Netherlands coach in 2019.

Spain’s win was the perfect revenge after they were eliminated by England during the quarterfinals of last year’s European Championships, which the Lionesses went on to win.

After winning the under-17 and under-20 tournaments last year, Spain have completed the set of World Cups, while major club Barcelona are the current UEFA Champions League holders.

There is no denying they are the new force in women’s football.

Standout playmaker Bonmati won the golden ball for player of the tournament.