2023-08-19 16:47:33
England, the current European champion, and Spain, finalists for the first time in a Women’s World Cup, will meet this Sunday in Sydney to define the champion of the FIFA World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.
The “Lionesses” and the “Red” will play from 7:00 p.m. -Argentine time- at the Sydney stadium, with the refereeing of the American Tori Penso and broadcast by Public TV and DSports.
England, led by the Dutch Sarina Wiegman -in the second final for DT since in 2019 they led the Netherlands to the final- eliminated Australia 3-1 in the semifinals, while Spain did the same with Sweden 2-1 .
In the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, there will be a new champion in the historic tournament that was played for the first time in two host countries and with the participation of 32 selected. After eight women’s World Cups, the United States is the most successful with four titles (1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019), Germany has two (2003 and 2007) and Japan (2011) along with Norway (1995) 1.
Germany is the only country that was consecrated in both men and women, a mark that will equal the one who wins the women’s final between England and Spain, since they are also world champions in men’s soccer.
The closest precedent between the two teams dates back to July 20, 2022 when in the last Euro Cup – won by England – the British eliminated Spain in the quarterfinals 2-1, in extra time, with a great goal from Georgia Stanway from 20 meters.
Both teams met 16 times, with ten victories for England, three for the Spanish and three draws.
The English had a perfect record in the group stage of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand with 1-0 victories over Haiti and Denmark and a 6-1 thrashing of China thanks to a sensational performance from Lauren James.
In the round of 16 once morest Nigeria, James was sent off at the end of regulation for stamping on Michelle Alozie. England drew 0-0 following extra time and won 4-2 on penalties, Chloe Kelly scoring.
In the quarter-finals, England, with James suspended, came from behind once morest Colombia (2-1), and Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo, the scorers of the round of 16 goals, also scored in a thrilling 3-1 win over co-hosts Australia, which held Wiegman’s record of 100% arrivals to the final phase of major tournaments.
Now the Dutch coach will have to define if James returns to the starting eleven or keeps Ella Toone, who replaced her.
Spain’s path to the final began with wins over Costa Rica (3-0) and Zambia (5-0), before suffering a 4-0 loss to Japan in a match that decided first place in Group C. In Round of 16, those led by Jorge Vilda eliminated Switzerland (5-1) and, in the quarterfinals, with a goal from Salma Paralluelo in extra time, they defeated the Netherlands (2-1), who had tied following added time.
In the semifinals, Spain had difficulties to break the Swedish defense until the entry of Paralluelo (19 years old) as a substitute caused an outburst in the last 10 minutes. Paralluelo put Spain ahead and Sweden equalized with two minutes remaining, but captain Olga Carmona responded instantly with a stunning goal that sent her team into the Women’s World Cup final for the first time.
Sweden – Argentina’s rival in the group stage – got on the podium following beating local Australia 2-0 in Brisbane, in the match for third place in the World Cup.
Probable formations:
England: Mary Earps; Alex Greenwood, Millie Brigth, Jess Carter; Rachel Daly, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Lucy Bronze; Lauren Hemp, Lauren James o Ella Toone, Alessia Russo. DT: Sarina Wiegman.
Spain: Taste Coll; Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, Olga Carmona; Aitana, Teresa, Alexia Putellas; Alba Redondo, Jennifer Hermoso, Mariona. DT: Jorge Vilda.
Estadio: Accor Stadium (Sydney, Australia)
Referee: Tori Penso (EE.UU.).
Time: 7.00 Argentine time.
TV: Public TV and DSports.
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