Women’s World Cup: Heartbreak for England as Lionesses miss out on closing glory after defeat to Spain

England’s Lionesses have missed out on glory on the Women’s World Cup after being crushed 1-0 by Spain.

Closely lacking out on repeating their success at Euros 2022, Sarina Wiegman’s crew fought to the very finish at a packed-out Stadium Australia in Sydney.

But a first-half purpose by Spain’s Olga Carmona, who shot throughout Mary Earps into the far nook within the twenty eighth minute, broke England’s hearts.

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England had come near taking the lead themselves within the fifteenth minute when Lauren Hemp’s shot hit the bar.

Two modifications at half-time noticed Lauren James and Chloe Kelly change Rachel Daly and Alessia Russo for the Lionesses, as they tried to show the sport round.

Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso then missed an opportunity to double her aspect’s lead from a penalty – granted after a handball by Keira Walsh – after a heroic save by Earps, who dived to her left to save lots of within the 69th minute.

James then compelled a save from Spain’s goalkeeper from a decent angle a couple of minutes later, as England pushed for an equaliser.

But it wasn’t to be, because the Lionesses fell quick on the closing hurdle.

The sport will nonetheless go down in historical past as the primary time the Lionesses have reached the ultimate of the match.

It can also be solely the third time Spain have certified for the World Cup, solely having received a single match within the match till this yr.

But La Roja at the moment are champions of the world, with a victory which is able to push ahead the ladies’s sport in Europe.

Hopeful of an England victory, the nation flocked to pubs and bars for the 11am kick-off (BST), with the sport tipped to provide a £185m increase to the UK financial system.

The King and Queen additionally issued a rallying cry of “roar to victory” beforehand and the prime minister urged gamers to deliver the trophy house, though neither attended the sport.

Play was briefly disrupted in the course of the first half after a protester entered the pitch earlier than an England free kick. The man was swiftly faraway from the pith by stewards.

Disappointment after undefeated run to closing

England have been undefeated within the match earlier than right now’s sport, however the journey to the ultimate wasn’t with out its challenges.

Before the World Cup even started, captain Leah Williamson and striker Beth Mead have been dominated out of taking part in within the match as a consequence of ACL accidents.

The first two video games noticed the crew safe 1-0 victories in opposition to Haiti and Denmark, adopted by a whopping 6-1 win over China to complete prime of Group D.

But the Lionesses have been shortly pushed to their limits when arising in opposition to Nigeria.

A crimson card handed to Lauren James – which was later adopted by a two-game suspension – meant the crew have been right down to 10 gamers within the final 16 match.

The sport went right down to a nail-biting penalty shoot-out, earlier than a 4-2 win noticed them progress into the quarter-finals in opposition to Columbia.

After falling behind to a purpose from Leicy Santos, targets from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo booked them a slot within the semi-finals in opposition to co-hosts Australia.

A surprising 3-1 win in opposition to the Matildas secured the Lionesses’ spot within the closing in opposition to Spain, which even with out the win felt like a “fairytale” to Weigman, who additionally took the Netherlands to the ultimate of the match in 2019.

Last time England confronted Spain – within the 2022 Euro quarter-finals – they received 2-1.