How Team Spain Was Crowned the 2023 WWC Champions

Spain is the new Women’s World Cup Champion. The team secured Gold against England in the Championship on August 20th.

The journey to find the 2023 Champion was an exciting one. Close games and pinnacle moments help define the tournament. Let’s take a look back at some of those matches.

Quarterfinals

Spain and the Netherlands started off the quarterfinals on August 10th. The game would go 81 minutes until we saw the first score. Mariona Caldentey drilled a penalty kick that veered left hitting the left pole of the goalpost. Luckily for Spain, it took a good bounce into the net. The Netherlands would answer back in extra time. In the 91st minute, Stefanie van der Gragt scored a goal off of her right foot into the left side of the goal. In the 111 minute, the winning goal occurred. Salma Celeste Paralluelo Ayingono dribbled the ball and avoided three defenders scoring the goal off of the right post. Spain drafted Netherlands 2-1.

Japan took on Sweden next. The game was entertaining from the start. Sweden set the tone with a goal in the 32-minute. Amanda Llestedt maneuvered through the Japan defense in front of the goal kicking a goal and hitting the top of the net. Japan committed a handball giving Sweden a penalty kick. Filippa Angeldal took advantage of this opportunity giving Sweden the 2-0 lead. Japan fought back to the very end scoring in the 87 minute. Honoka Hayashi scored the lone goal for Japan. The comeback did not come into fruition, Sweden advanced 2-1 into the semifinals

It took regulation, overtime, and penalty kicks to give us a winner in the match between Australia and France. During regulation, we saw many missed opportunities from both teams. From missing open shots, penalties, and lost possessions. Everyone was just waiting for the goal that would win the game. It would never come for either team. Penalty kicks would decide who advances. France went up first to kick and it was denied by Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold. Australia responded by scoring, going up 1-0 after the first round. France bounced back winning the next round making it 1-1 after two rounds. Both teams went perfect on their next two goal attempts. Building up more suspense and excitement. It was 3-3. France once more was rejected by Arnold. Three more rounds came making it 6-6. After a pair of blocks from both teams, Australia finally got the winning goal from Elisa De Almeida.

The final match of the quarter-finals was between England and Colombia. Leicy Santos was able to score for Colombia in the 44 minute. The momentum for Colombia quickly vanished, with Lauren Hemp striking a goal for England in extra time before the half. The scoring for England continued in the 63rd minute. Alessia Russo, despite nearly being knocked over was able to regain her balance and hit the back of the net for a 2-1 lead. England’s defense stayed strong, not surrendering another goal and holding the lead. Booking their ticket to the semifinals.

Semifinals

The final four were set. Spain, Sweden, Australia, and England. Four teams and two spots in the championship for Gold. Even though the semis are not considered the championship, we saw that level of play in this round.

Spain took on Sweden. It was a defensive affair for the majority of the game. With every missed kick and turnover the tension built. Who was going to cash in on their opportunity? The first was Salma Celeste Paralluelo Ayingono in the 81st minute. After a Swedish player deflected a kick from Spain, it landed in the lap of Ayingono where she was able to score. The stadium and Spain’s sideline erupted, marking the signal for a new ball game. Sweden would not be phased, the team only took seven minutes to respond. Rebecka Blomqvist scored after being sent a header pass from a teammate. Spain bounced back even quicker than Sweden. One minute after Sweden’s goal, Olga Carmona launched a goal off of her left foot up into the goal, giving Spain the 2-1 lead. Seven extra minutes were given to the teams after regulation. Sweden was unable to fight back. Giving Spain its chance at a World Cup Championship. Spain 2-1 over Sweden.

One spot remained in the Championship. Australia and England sat and watched as Spain moved on and Sweden went home.
England was the first team to strike. In the 36 minute, Ella Toone was given a clear shot at the goal and made it count. Sam Kerr and Australia came marching back. Kerr dribbled the ball near the half-center circle before the penalty box and finished it up with a strong kick tying up the game in the 63rd minute. England scored the next goals of the game. First Lauren Hemp got control of a loose ball and scored a goal edging out Australian goalkeeper Arnold for the goal. The 86-minute came, and Hemp passed a perfect ball to Alessia Russo. England’s drive was too strong as they held the lead and advanced to the Championship round. 3-1 England.

The Championship

Regardless of the outcome, history was going to be made in this World Cup. England and Spain both have never won Gold. Both teams were on the precipice of changing that. Unfortunately, only one country can claim that. It was going to take a full team effort and elite play to secure the win

The match happened in Sydney, Australia at Stadium Australia. The game started fast. In the 29th minute, Olga Carmona of Spain was able to score. Carmona scored a kick that snuck past multiple defenders into the right side of the net. Spain went up 1-0. Spain held the lead for the rest of the of the game. The second half and 13 extra minutes were not enough time for England to score. Spain won 1-0. Giving the team its first-ever Women’s World Cup Championship.