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Caitlin Murray, ESPN
SYDNEY — Spain are the brand new Ladies’s World Cup champions, beating England 1-0 at Stadium Australia to change into first-time winners.
Though Spain had a number of possession in contrast with England, their decisive opening aim 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 may have doubled Spain’s lead, however England goalkeeper Mary Earps, the Lionesses’ greatest participant on the day, did properly to learn the shot and maintain on to the ball.
In reality, Spain appeared just like the far superior staff, passing circles round England as the sport wore on. Spain outshot their opponents 13 to eight in a match that definitely wasn’t a breeze for La Roja, however the consequence by no means actually appeared doubtful as soon as that they had taken the lead.
For England, it is a disappointing follow-up to their thrilling and dominant win on the Euros final summer season. The Lionesses had knocked Spain out of that match within the quarterfinals, and Spain acquired the last word revenge.
Participant rankings (0-10; 10 = greatest; 5 = common)
Spain
GK Cata Coll, 6 — England did not power a lot out of the goalkeeper.
DF Olga Carmona, 7 — A giant blunder gifted England a transparent scoring likelihood within the sixteenth minute, however she made up for it with a superb end to attain the one aim 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 wonderful 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 Lauren Hemp likelihood properly 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 swap that led to Spain’s opening aim. It might need been essentially the most influence she made all night time, nevertheless it was sufficient.
MF Aitana Bonmatí, 8 — She sparked a few good assaults within the center, and accomplished a shocking 95% of her passes. She was deservedly named Participant of the Match after the match.
FW Mariona Caldentey, 7 — Compelled a diving save from England’s goalkeeper within the forty ninth minute, and fed the ball that led to Spain’s aim.
FW Salma Paralluelo, 7 — Fired a shot off the publish within the remaining sequence of play earlier than half-time, however hit a transparent likelihood 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.
2:03
Ogden: Ladies’s World Cup has been nice showcase of soccer
Mark Ogden and Alexis Nunes give their ideas on the Ladies’s World Cup after Spain took the crown vs. England within the remaining.
Substitutes (Gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score.)
FW Oihane Hernández, 5 (on for Redondo, 60″) — Could not influence the sport a lot.
DF Ivana Andrés, NR (on for Codina, 73″) — Restricted likelihood 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 appeared 100% and so Paralluelo took her spot. Not an opportunity for Putellas to meaningfully contribute.
England
GK Mary Earps, 8 — Made a large save from shut vary within the seventeenth minute after which saved a penalty within the 69th. One other huge 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 aim.
DF Alex Greenwood, 7 — Put in a good defensive shift and linked with most of her passes.
DF Millie Shiny, 7 — Stood up comparatively properly to Spain’s assaults.
DF Jessica Carter, 6 — Had some good clearances, however her pass-completion fee was poor.
LW Rachel Daly, 5 — Spain repeatedly attacked down Daly’s facet. Though she at occasions gained possession, she was additionally caught too excessive and did not make an influence going ahead. Received 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 — Received her pocket picked too simply a few occasions. Dedicated what appeared like an intentional handball, conceding a penalty.
MF Georgia Stanway, 5 — Comparatively ineffective on the night time but in addition no horrible blunders.
RW Lucy Bronze, 4 — Proper earlier than Spain’s aim, she tried to take the ball herself, dribbling by the midfield, after which when she misplaced possession, she threw a tantrum as a substitute of monitoring again — after which Spain attacked down her facet to attain. Was poor going ahead normally.
FW Lauren Hemp, 6 — Had a few good possibilities 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, generally beating strain and successful corners, however a foul contact of hers killed a promising assault within the nineteenth minute and two minutes later she handed to nobody, promptly dropping the ball. Finally she struggled and was substituted at half-time.
2:05
Was it a mistake not beginning Lauren James within the World Cup remaining?
Sam Marsden discusses whether or not England made a severe error by leaving Lauren James out of the beginning lineup for the World Cup remaining vs. Spain.
Substitutes (Gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score.)
LW Chloe Kelly, 5 (on for Daly, 45″) — Rapidly made an influence, getting a superb 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 Russo, 45″) — A troublesome night time as she booed by sections of the group each time she touched the ball after FIFA gave her solely a two-match ban for her pink card vs. Nigeria. She had a pleasant shot within the seventy fifth that compelled the goalkeeper to tip it over the bar. Handed the ball out of bounds for no cause within the 53rd minute, killing certainly one of England’s few promising assaults.
MF Beth England, NR (on for Toone, 87″) — Could not present the very late spark the Lionesses wanted.
