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After a months-worth of games across two countries, it comes down to this: England or Spain, either one of them a first-time World Cup champion.
For England, it would be the country’s first World Cup title since the men won in 1966. And after last summer’s European championship, a World Cup title would cement the Three Lionesses as the world’s best team, unseating the U.S. women’s national team.
For Spain, a victory in Australia would cap a dramatic rise sparked by investment, at club and country. But it would not come without controversy; a dozen players were left home after a mutiny last year over the environment created by coach Jorge Vilda.
Follow the action live here.
Olga Carmona goal puts Spain up 1-0 on England
Spain made England pay for Lucy Bronze’s turnover. After getting the ball at midfield, Spain floated the ball over an England scrum to Mariona Caldentey, who dribbled up the left side before spotting a late-charging Olga Carmona and slipping the ball to her. Carmona fired to the far corner, past a diving Mary Earps to put Spain up 1-0 in the 29th minute.
WORLD CUP CENTRAL: 2023 Women’s World Cup Live Scores, Schedules, Standings, Bracket and More
It was Carmona’s second goal in as many games. She also had the game-winner in Spain’s 2-1 win over Sweden in the semifinal.
England vs. Spain first-half highlights from electric start
This England-Spain final is all gas, no breaks so far.
We’ve already seen an Olga Carmona goal, a banger off the crossbar by Lauren Hemp and near-misses by Salma Paralluelo and Alba Redondo. And that was just in the first 30 minutes!
Spain is dominating possession — it was 53% to 31% through the first half — but both teams had three attempts on goal (Spain had 6, and both teams had two on target). Spain is outpacing England in passes, 313-175 and passes complete, 275-141. England has been called for offside three times so far (Spain hasn’t done it at all).
With such a frenetic pace so far, it feels as if there are more goals to come. Just before halftime, Salma Paralluelo had another great look for Spain, but her shot ricocheted off the post.
Who is Salma Paralluello?
A 19-year-old sensation for Spain’s national team, Salma Paralluelo got the start for the World Cup final vs. England. The teenager has made a tremendous impact for Spain off the bench this tournament, scoring the game-winning goal in the quarterfinal against the Netherlands and the go-ahead goal in the team’s semifinal win over Sweden.
If she ever tires of soccer, Paralluelo could always switch back to track: a standout athlete, she set under-20 records for Spain in the 400 and 400 hurdles before deciding to focus on soccer.
Spain vs. England World Cup final starting lineups
Teenage super-sub Salma Paralluelo is in Spain’s starting lineup for the championship game Sunday against England, while star Alexia Putellas returns to the bench.
Paralluelo scored the game-winning goal against the Netherlands in extra time of the quarterfinals, and the 19-year-old scored Spain’s go-ahead goal in the semifinal victory over Sweden.
Check out Spain’s starting IX:
Forward Lauren James is back in the lineup for England, but will come off the bench after serving a two-game suspension for a red card.
Check out England’s starting IX:
How to watch World Cup final Spain vs. England
There are plenty of ways to watch the World Cup final. The game is being broadcast on FOX Sports, with the Spanish-language version available on Telemundo. Additionally, the World Cup final can be live streamed in English on FoxSports.com and in Spanish on Peacock. You can also watch it on your favorite streaming service that provides live TV, including DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, and Fubo.
The World Cup final between England and Spain kicks off at 6 a.m. ET Sunday at Stadium Australia. That’s 8 p.m. in Sydney, Australia, where the match will be held.
Spain coach Jorge Vilda and controversy with his players
Spain’s appearance in the World Cup final comes almost a year after 15 of the team’s top players complained about the environment under coach Jorge Vilda and said they didn’t wish to be selected for the national team unless changes were made.
The Spanish federation backed Vilda — and his decision to drop the players. Though some later said they wanted to come back, only three are on the World Cup squad. Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and Jenni Hermosa, Spain’s all-time scoring leader, who weren’t among the 15 but expressed support for their teammates, are also at the World Cup.
Instead, Vilda stocked his squad with up-and-comers, most notably Salma Paralluelo. It’s worked, but it hasn’t stopped the questions. Vilda was asked Saturday about the mutiny and would say only, “Next question please.”
— Nancy Armour, USA TODAY Sports columnist
Is Prince William going to the World Cup final?
It’s well known that Prince William, the heir to the British thrown is a huge soccer fan, as well as head of the Football Association, England’s governing body for soccer. Many thought he’d made the trip to Sydney for the final, given that England is playing. He won’t be there in person, but on Saturday he posted a video on social media wishing the Lionesses good luck, alongside 8-year-old daughter Charlotte.
Spain’s Queen in Sydney for World Cup final
While Prince William is absent, Queen Letizia of Spain will be in the house to cheer on Spain. She made the trip to Sydney with her 16-year-old daughter Infanta Sofia. According to the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Queen Letizia visited the team during practice in June, speaking to players and the coaching staff.
World Cup final odds
Looking to bet on the 2023 World Cup? BetMGM has Spain as the narrow favorite.
- Moneyline: Spain +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | England +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Draw +200
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +138 | U: -190)
Access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 4:30 a.m. ET.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See applicable operator site for its terms and conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to gamble.
World Cup final predictions for England vs. Spain
Nancy Armour, USA TODAY columnist: While this is the first time in the World Cup final for England, the Three Lionesses have experience in a big, pressure-packed games after winning the European championship on home soil last summer. Spain does not and I think that inexperience will cost them. Score: England 2-0
Lindsay Schnell, USA TODAY reporter: I’m picking England, which almost surely means Spain will win. Whatever I’ve predicted this tournament, the opposite has happened. So if you’re a betting individual, do the opposite of what I say. But just for fun … Score: England 3, Spain 2
Alicia DelGallo, senior editor USA TODAY: Spain commands the beginning of the game and goes up early, but England comes back and holds onto a narrow lead. Score: England 2, Spain 1
Sportsbook Wire: Spain 2, England 1
USWNT missing World Cup final good for women’s soccer
The U.S. women not playing in the World Cup final is actually a good thing.
No, really. Hear me out.
The USWNT, and the executives at Fox Sports, will disagree there’s anything positive about the four-time champions not being around for the last two weeks of the tournament. For the growth of the game, to incentivize still-developing programs to keep investing in their teams, however, the early exits of the USWNT and other powerhouses is a boon.
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