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Spain Completes Improbable Run With Women’s World Cup Victory

La Roja defeated England thanks to a 29th-minute goal from Olga Carmona to win its first Women’s World Cup title.

Andrew Gastelum

Spain Completes Improbable Run With Women’s World Cup Victory
Spain Completes Improbable Run With Women’s World Cup Victory /

Less than one year after Spanish players staged a historically powerful revolt against their coach and federation, La Roja shocked the world of women’s soccer with its first Women’s World Cup title in a 1–0 win over favored England in Sydney..

Last September, 15 Spanish players sent letters to the Spanish federation asking for a change to its training conditions and unprofessional atmosphere, which many interpreted as a demand to dismiss unpopular manager Jorge Vilda. But the federation doubled down on its support of Vilda and demanded players apologize before being named in the squad again. The rift left a massive fissure in Spain’s women’s soccer setup. 

But with a squad led by Vilda and featuring three of the 15 rebelling players, Spain blazed a trail to the final. After winning its first two group stage matches, La Roja was embarrassed in a 4–0 loss to Japan in the group finale. But the team regrouped in the knockout stage, defeating Switzerland, the Netherlands and third-place Sweden before the final against England, which had knocked Spain out of the Euros in a quarterfinal defeat that ultimately led to the revolt. 

On Sunday, Olga Carmona’s goal in the 29th minute proved in the end to be the match-winner. With a rush of blood to the head, England defender Lucy Bronze attempted to cut through a Spain midfield featuring many of her Barcelona teammates before she was instantly dispossessed. The turnover led to Spain switching play to the left wing on a counterattack, where Mariona Caldentey slipped a pass to Carmona as the left back struck it low and out of the reach of Mary Earps for the goal.

Spain nearly doubled the lead in the 66th minute when a VAR review issued a penalty for an England handball. 

But Jenni Hermoso’s penalty was easily saved by Earps, who spurred her team on with a roaring celebration. 

After an incredible tournament in leading the Spanish midfield, Aitana Bonmatí emerges as the favorite to win the Ballon d’Or Féminin after winning Spanish league and Champions League titles with Barcelona this season.

Spain also denied England manager Sarina Wiegman her second chance at a World Cup title. Just four years after leading her native Netherlands to the final, where it lost to the U.S., Wiegman became the first manager to lead to different nations to a World Cup final

Spain’s title is the nation’s second World Cup victory after the men’s team won in 2010 in South Africa. 

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Andrew Gastelum
ANDREW GASTELUM

Andrew Gastelum is a programming editor and writer at Sports Illustrated who specializes in soccer, the Olympics and international sports. He joined the SI staff in March 2021 and previously contributed to Howler Magazine and NBC Sports. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame alum and is currently based in Italy.

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