SYDNEY, Australia — It was a moment written in the stars, and on Sunday, August 20, 2023, Spain’s national women’s football team seized it.
Led by their fearless captain, Olga Carmona, La Roja clinched their first-ever Women’s World Cup title with a thrilling 1-0 victory over England in a heart-stopping final.
In front of a packed crowd in Sydney, the match saw both sides give everything in pursuit of the coveted trophy.
However, it was Captain Carmona who etched her name into football history.
With a beautifully taken shot in the 29th minute, she made sure Spain was on the board.
“Every player dreams of this moment,” Carmona remarked post-game, her face radiant with joy. “To lift the World Cup for Spain, for our fans, it’s beyond words.”
The English side, known for their resilience, didn’t make the win easy for Spain.
A golden chance to level the scores presented itself when Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso was poised at the penalty spot.
However, England’s guardian between the posts, Mary Earps, pulled off a stellar save, keeping her side’s hopes alive.
“It was a tough game, and that penalty save was crucial,” Earps shared after the match. “We gave it our all, and while the outcome wasn’t what we hoped for, I’m proud of our team.”
Sunday’s final will be remembered for Spain’s historic win and the relentless spirit both teams showcased.
As the final whistle blew, it was clear that women’s football had taken yet another step into the limelight, promising even more exhilarating matches in the future.
Super Falcons Bow Out of 2023 Women’s World Cup in Thrilling Penalty Shootout
Nigeria’s Super Falcons held their ground against the highly-favoured Three Lionesses of England during the Round of 16 in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The match occurred on Monday, August 7, 2023, in Brisbane, Australia.
Contrary to the expectations of pundits, who predicted a complete victory for England, the Super Falcons, currently ranked number 40 in the world, fought vigorously.
The Falcons held the Three Lionesses, the world’s fourth-best female national team, to a goalless draw for 90 minutes, pushing the game into extra time.
The subsequent 30 minutes of extra time saw neither team score, pushing the match into a deciding penalty shootout.
Nigeria missed two kicks, while England missed only one, resulting in a 4-2 win for the English team.
With this loss, the Super Falcons, who have qualified for the Women’s World Cup six times, missed the chance to become the first African nation to make it to the competition’s quarter-finals.
In the initial rounds of the tournament, England finished top in Group D, while Nigeria secured second place in Group B.
Prior to this nail-biting encounter, the Super Falcons and Three Lionesses had met twice in the competition, with England coming out on top both times with a 3-2 victory.
Despite their loss, the Super Falcons’ commendable performance against one of the world’s top teams is a sign of women’s football’s continuous growth and strength in Africa.
