WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Whose name will appear on Women’s World Cup trophy as Spain take on England?
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 final on Sunday will see a new name etched on to the tournament trophy, as European duo Spain and England meet – for the first time in the competition – to do battle for the coveted crown.
The sides’ most recent meeting was in the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 quarter-finals, when England edged through in a 2-1 extra-time victory en route to winning the tournament.
After eliminating Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden to get to the final, Spain will not be daunted by the task and will look to assert their trademark passing game on this showpiece encounter.
England have overcome Nigeria, Colombia and Australia to reach the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final for the first time and will be going all out to follow up on their Women’s EURO triumph and lift the trophy at Stadium Australia.
Both teams have grown stronger by the round, and it now all boils down to this one-off match, which promises to be a classic and the perfect way to round off what has been an exceptional tournament.
Last meeting:
- 20/07/2022, England 2-1 Spain, UEFA European Women’s Championship England 2022, American Express Community Stadium, Falmer (England)
Key facts
- The fact that both Spain and England will feature in the final for the first time brings the number of nations to have reached the FIFA Women’s World Cup showpiece to 10.
- This will be the third all-European FIFA Women’s World Cup final, after the showpieces at the 1995 (Norway 2-0 Germany) and 2003 (Germany 2-1 Sweden – aet) editions.
- The FIFA Women’s World Cup will be lifted by a European team for the first time since 2007, when Germany defeated Brazil 2-0 to clinch their second title following their triumph at the 2003 finals. Norway are the only other European side to have won the competition (1995).
- Germany are the only nation to have won both the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and Spain or England will match that achievement.
- This will be the first time since the inaugural instalment in 1991 that the FIFA Women’s World Cup final will be contested by two teams that have never previously featured in the tournament decider.
- Three of the nine FIFA Women’s World Cup finals have required extra time, with two of those being decided by a penalty shoot-out:
– 1999 – USA 0-0 China PR (aet) 5-4 PSO
– 2003 – Germany 2-1 Sweden (aet)
– 2011 – Japan 2-2 USA (aet) 3-1 PSO.
- Spain’sLa Roja are the leading goalscorers at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 with 17 goals – the most they have ever scored in a single edition of the tournament.
- Spain have emerged victorious in five of their six matches at this year’s finals (W5 L1). They had only won one of their seven FIFA Women’s World Cup encounters prior to this edition of the tournament.
- Spain have defeated European opposition in each of their knockout-stage matches en route to the final:Won 5-1 v. Switzerland (round of 16) Won 2-1 v. Netherlands (aet) (quarter-finals) Won 2-1 v. Sweden (semi-finals).
- Spain could become only the second team to secure the FIFA Women’s World Cup crown after suffering defeat en route to glory. Japan did so at the 2011 edition after slipping to a 2-0 group-stage defeat to England.
- Spain are the current FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup champions, having won both competitions in 2022. They could become the first country to hold all three titles at the same time. Japan are the only nation to have triumphed at all three tournaments: the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011, the 2018 edition of the U-20 competition and the 2014 instalment of the U-17 tournament, but they did not hold all three titles at the same time.
- Spain’s Salma Paralluelo could become the first player to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup, FIFA U 20 Women’s World Cup and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – she tasted glory at the U-17 competition in 2018 and the 2022 edition of the U-20 tournament.
- Her strike against Sweden saw Salma Paralluelo become the first Spanish player to have scored in successive FIFA Women’s World Cup matches.
- Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes have featured in each of Spain’s 13 FIFA Women’s World Cup encounters since the nation’s maiden outing at the 2015 finals.
- England have won 11 and drawn one of their last 14 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches (Won 11, Drew 1, Lost 2).
- England have won five of their last six FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against European teams (Won 5, Lost 1).
- England’s 13-goal haul at this year’s finals has seen them equal their record tally in the competition, which they achieved at the 2019 tournament.
- England have only failed to score in one of their last 19 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches.
- The Lionesses’ Lucy Bronze has lined up in 19 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches and is set to become only the second England player to have made 20 appearances in the competition, after Jill Scott (21).
- Sarina Wiegman has now reached the showpiece at each of the last four FIFA Women’s World Cup and UEFA Women’s EURO final competitions:Netherlands (UEFA Women’s EURO 2017, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019™), England (UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™).
- Sarina Wiegman is the first coach to have led two different nations to the FIFA Women’s World Cup final.
SPAIN TEAM FACTS
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM RECORDS
- Overall record: Played : 13,Won: 6, Drew: 2, Lost: 5, Goals For: 23, Goals Against: 15, Goal Difference: 8
- Biggest win: 5-0 Spain v. Zambia (26/07/2023)
- Biggest defeat: 0-4Spain v. Japan (31/07/2023)
- Highest scoring match: 6 goals – Spain 5-1 Switzerland (05/08/2023)
- Most goals scored in a match: 5 – Spain 5-0 Zambia (26/07/2023)/Spain 5-1 Switzerland (05/08/2023)
- Most goals conceded in a match: 4 – Spain 0-4 Japan (31/07/2023)
- Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 17 – 2023 (6 matches)
- Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2 – 2015 (3 matches)
- Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 7 – 2023 (6 matches)
- Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 4 – 2015 (3 matches)/2019 (4 matches)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS
- Successive wins: 3 (2023-present)
- Successive defeats: 2 (2015)
- Successive draws: 1 (2015 and 2019)
- Successive matches without a defeat: 3 (2023-present)
- Successive matches without a win: 3 (2015 and 2019)
- Successive matches with a goal scored: 3 (2019-2023 and 2023-present)
- Successive matches without scoring: 2 (2019)
- Successive clean sheets: 2 (2023)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP EXTRA-TIME MATCHES
- 11/08/2023 Spain 2-1 Netherlands (quarter-finals)
ENGLAND TEAM FACTS
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP™ TEAM RECORDS
- Overall record: Played: 32,Won: 20, Drawn: 5, Lost: 7, Goals For: 56, Goals Against: 33, Goals Difference: 23
- Biggest win: England 6-1 Argentina, 17/09/2007), England 6-1 China PR (01/08/2023)
- Biggest defeat: 0-3 England 0-3Germany 13/06/1995), England 0-3 USA (22/09/2007)
- Highest scoring match: 7 goals – England 6-1 Argentina (17/09/2007)and England 6-1 China PR (01/08/2023)
- Most goals scored in a match: 6 – England 6-1 Argentina (17/09/2007)and England 6-1 China PR (01/08/2023)
- Most goals conceded in a match: 3 – England 0-3 Germany (13/06/1995)and England 0-3 USA (22/09/2007)
- Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 13 – 2019 (7 matches) and 2023 (6 matches)
- Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 6 – 1995 and 2011 (4 matches)
- Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 9 – 1995 (4 matches)
- Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 3 – 2011 (3 matches) and 2023 (6 matches)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS
- Successive wins: 6 (2015-2019)
- Successive defeats: 2 (2019)
- Successive draws: 2 (2007)
- Successive matches without a defeat: 6 (2015-2019 and 2023-present)
- Successive matches without a win: 3 (1995-2007)
- Successive matches with a goal scored: 16 (2015-2023)
- Successive matches without scoring: 1 (six times, the last of which was 2023-present) Successive clean sheets: 4 (2019)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP™ EXTRA-TIME MATCHES
- 09/07/2011 England 1-1 France (3-4 PSO) (quarter-finals)
- 04/07/2015 England 1-0 Germany (match for third place)
- 07/08/2023 England 0-0 Nigeria (4-2 PSO) (round of 16)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP™ PENALTY SHOOT-OUTS (Won 1, Lost 1)
- 09/07/2011 England 3-4 France (PSO) (quarter-finals)
- 07/08/2023 England 4-2 Nigeria (PSO) (round of 16)
Spain striker Esther Gonzalez scored twice in the first half as her side powered to a 5-0 win over Portugal at the Women’s Euros that was overshadowed by the deaths of Portugal international Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident earlier on Thursday.
On an emotional night that began with a minute’s silence for the brothers, Portugal went behind almost immediately, Olga Carmona putting the ball over the top for Gonzalez to run on to and score in the second minute.
Mariona Caldentey did superbly to pull the ball across the box for Vicky Lopez to score the second goal five minutes later.
The Portuguese managed to steady the ship but they were rocked again four minutes before the break when Alexia Putellas took down another great pass from Caldentey on her chest before calmly cutting inside and firing home.
“I highlight our mindset, how we came out to play,” Putellas said. “We were really eager to get started but it’s only the first match.”
There was more misery to come for Portugal before halftime as Gonzalez netted her second goal two minutes later, scoring from close range after Claudia Pina’s cross came back off the far post.
The world champions were delighted to be able to bring in Aitana Bonmati from the bench following her recent brush with viral meningitis, and the playmaker wasted no time getting into the thick of things, setting up a chance for Cristina Martin-Prieto.
“Aitana is a very important player for us. We are delighted that she is back and has overcome her illness. It is a joy,” Putellas said.
Portugal showed more composure in the second half but they were no match for Spain’s power, precision and technique and, though they held Spain at bay for most of the second half, Martin-Prieto scored with a superb late header to complete the rout.
“We conceded early goals and the team became anxious and unsettled,” said Portugal forward Diana Silva. “We couldn’t get hold of the ball and then it’s harder to chase the result. We were much better in the second half, more united. We didn’t allow Spain so much space to get in.
“We believe until the end, our goal is to earn points until the end and everything is still up for grabs.”
Silva and her teammates remained on the pitch after the final whistle, posing in front of their fans with a huge black banner in memory of Jota.
Spain’s victory was their biggest in a European Championship, surpassing their 4-1 win over Finland in 2022, and was the ideal start for what the tournament favourites hope will be their first Women’s Euro title.
With Italy having defeated Belgium 1-0 earlier in the evening, Spain top the group with the Italians second. Spain take on the Belgians in their next game, while Portugal face Italy.
-Reuters
The draw for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025 was held on Wednesday in Rabat. It set the tone for a highly anticipated edition of the tournament.
The event will feature competitive groups. There will be a dazzling, historic opening match between the host nation and Brazil.
Hosts Morocco, Cameroon, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Zambia will fly the African flag. This will occur during the 3-week tournament taking place between 17 October – 8 November.
As hosts of this eighth edition, Morocco have not been dealt an easy hand. Drawn into Group A alongside Brazil, Italy, and Costa Rica
The opening match is scheduled to take place in Rabat. It will see Morocco go head-to-head with a Brazilian side renowned for its strength at youth level.
This high-profile fixture will be an important benchmark for Morocco. They can gauge how far they’ve come in their footballing development.
Cameroon to Tackle a Formidable Group B
Group B presents a stern test for Cameroon. They will face North Korea, Mexico, and the Netherlands.
This group showcases a compelling mix of footballing philosophies and playing styles. The Lionesses will need to combine tactical discipline with physical strength to compete effectively.
Cameroon have never advanced beyond the quarterfinals in this competition. Their U-17 side will be hoping to break new ground.
Their recent success on the regional stage, particularly within the UNIFFAC zone, offers a solid foundation for optimism.
Nigeria Aim to Maintain Their Legacy
As one of the most successful African nations at youth level, Nigeria arrive with a proud legacy to uphold.
Drawn into Group D, the Super Flamingos will take on France, Canada, and Samoa. It’s a challenging group, but well within reach for a team known for its athletic prowess and technical quality.
The Nigerian class of 2025 is attracting a lot of attention. With the right momentum, they have the potential to reach the quarterfinals or even further. Their encounter with France could very well be the pivotal fixture of the group.
Debut Challenge for Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire will make their tournament debut in Group E, where they’ll face Spain, Colombia, and South Korea. The Ivorians will need to demonstrate character and determination to compete at this level.
Their match against Spain, the runners-up in the previous edition, will be a formidable test. However, it’s not insurmountable. Should the Little Elephants manage to hold off the Spanish onslaught, an upset could be on the cards. Their attacking line known for its speed and unpredictability could be their biggest asset.
Zambia Ready to Make a Statement in Group F
In Group F, Zambia is set to face Japan, New Zealand, and Paraguay. Though less experienced than their opponents, the U-17 Copper Princesses arrive with a clear goal: to surpass the performance of previous African teams at this stage of the tournament.
It’s a demanding draw, particularly against a Japanese side famed for its collective organisation and fluidity.
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Finland women’s national team manager has apologised for mistakenly calling up a long-retired 51-year-old for this week’s game against Serbia.
When submitting the lineup, manager Outi Saarinen mistakenly entered former player Stina Ruuskanen instead of 23-year-old Djurgarden defender Nanne Ruuskanen.
The error was not discovered until past deadline.
Ruuskanen, who received her call-up 29 years after playing two senior internationals for Finland, took the mix-up in good humour.
“I’m definitely ready if the call comes! Just yesterday I was playing in a hobby league match … so my game feel is good,” she told the Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat.
The younger Ruuskanen, who is no relation, was unable to take part in the Nations League match, a 1-1 draw in Helsinki on Tuesday.
“Nanne was, of course, disappointed but took the news very well considering the circumstances,” Saarinen said in a statement from the Finnish Football Association.
“I am very sorry for the mistake.”
-Reuters
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