England fans cheer on the Lionesses from Stadium Australia
England face Spain in their first Women’s World Cup final as Sarina Wiegman and her players look to bring the game’s biggest prize home from Sydney.
It’s the first time the England men’s or women’s team have reached a football World Cup final since 1966, with the nation set to come to a halt for the historic occasion.
Wiegman is well aware of the 57 years of hurt that the nation has endured but said the Lionesses will feel the support of the country back home when they face Spain, while captain Millie Bright said England will need to play the “game of our lives” in Sydney.
Lauren James returns to the bench as Wiegman named an unchanged side for the World Cup final, with the star forward now available for selection after serving her two-game ban. Spain have named one of their star players, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, on the bench but have brought 19-year-old sensation Salma Paralluelo into the starting line-up.
Follow England’s clash against Spain below, get all the latest Women’s World Cup odds here and find latest tips for the game itself here.
England 0-1 Spain
82 mins: Greenwood is back up, with a new shirt, and ready to continue. England continue to push for her opener but Bronze’s cross is not met by anyone in a blue shirt in the area.
Ben Fleming20 August 2023 12:42
England 0-1 Spain
78 mins: A stoppage now for England as Greenwood is down after being caught by the knee of Paralluelo who receives a yellow card.
Ben Fleming20 August 2023 12:37
England 0-1 Spain
76 mins: SAVE! England have been on top since that pause for the injury and James now finds her way into the game for her first effort on goal. It’s a tight angle left of the goal but it requires the fingertips of Cata to tip it behind for a corner.
Ben Fleming20 August 2023 12:35
England 0-1 Spain
72 mins: Codina is down receiving treatment, giving England a vital chance to regroup and mentally prepare themselves for this final 25 minutes.
In the end, the Spanish centre-back can’t continue with Andres replacing her.
Ben Fleming20 August 2023 12:32
England 0-1 Spain
70 mins: PENALTY SAVED! A huge moment in this final as Earps makes the save. She guesses correctly to her left and it’s a vital save to deny Hermoso.
A huge let-off for England.
Ben Fleming20 August 2023 12:29
England 0-1 Spain
67 mins: PENALTY! It’s a long, drawn-out process as Tori Penso looks at the monitor and discusses it with the VAR team.
In the end, it’s a penalty and Spain have a chance to double their lead.
Ben Fleming20 August 2023 12:27
England 0-1 Spain
65 mins: It’s desperate defending from England as Paralluelo effort is deflected behind for a corner. But wait, there’s a nervous wait now for England as a VAR check begins for a Kiera Walsh handball.
She heads to the monitor…
Ben Fleming20 August 2023 12:24
England 0-1 Spain
62 mins: Bonmati with another lovely turn in the middle of the park as she bears down on goal. The midfielder tries her luck from range but her left-footed drive goes just over the bar with Earps well beaten.
Ben Fleming20 August 2023 12:21
England 0-1 Spain
60 mins: Spain make their first change of the game as Redondo comes off for Hernandez.
Ben Fleming20 August 2023 12:19
England 0-1 Spain
58 mins: Some better passages of play as England focus their play down the right. A cross aiming for the far post can’t quite find Carter – now playing at left-back – but it’s better from Wiegman’s side.
Ben Fleming20 August 2023 12:17
