Spain vs England – Women’s World Cup final LIVE: Lionesses bid for ultimate glory against Spain Down Under – with Lauren James available after her ban
Follow Mail Sport’s live blog as Sarina Wiegman’s England take on Spain in the Women’s World Cup final from Stadium Australia.
Host commentator
One change for Spain as Jorge Vilda opts to go without two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, handing Salma Paralluelo a chance after she came on in the semi-final win against Sweden.
Here’s how they line up for the final: Cata Coll; Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, Olga Carmona; Aitana Bonmati, Teresea Abelleira, Salma Paralluelo; Alba Redondo, Jenni Hermoso, Mariona Caldentey
๐จ ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐ I ยกESTA ES LA ALINEACIรN DE ESPAรA ๐ฃ๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ก๐๐๐๐!
๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ณ๐๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐๐๐ฎ๐ que saldrรกn de inicio para representarnos en el partido por el tรญtulo.
๐ #ESP – #ENG#JugarLucharYGanar I #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/d5AxePA8Vh
The Lionesses have had to deal with significant pressure and expectation since triumphing against Germany in the Euro 2022 final last year, and they’ve so far worn the pressure like champions.
That’s not to say England have been at their best throughout the tournament. Far from it. But they’ve always managed to get the job done.
A narrow 1-0 win over Haiti was followed by another 1-0 victory against Denmark, and England closed out the group with a convincing 6-1 thrashing over China to top the table on nine points.
The round of 16 posed the biggest hurdle for England to climb, as group stage top scorer Lauren James was sent off for stamping on Michelle Alozie. Despite going down to ten, Sarina’s Lionesses held firm in defence and managed to edge through on penalties.
Alessia Russo found her goal-scoring touch in England’s 2-1 victory over Colombia in the quarter-finals, netting the winner after Lauren Hemp’s equaliser shortly before half-time.
A clash with tournament hosts Australia was up next in the last four, and all was well until Sam Kerr’s thunderbolt cancelled out Ella Toone’s opener. Many teams would have crumbled after conceding in such a manner.
But Hemp and Russo kept their composure late on to take their chances and fire England into the final with a 3-1 win, setting up a World Cup final date with Spain.
King Charles sent one simple command to the Lionesses last night: ‘Good luck and may you roar to victory!’
The King’s rallying cry shows just how much Sarina Wiegman’s side have gripped the nation, who are still waiting for their first World Cup triumph since 1966.
The royal family will be watching the showpiece on their television screens however, with FA president Prince William opting not to travel to Australia unlike Queen Letzia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter Infanta Sofia.
Prince William did, however, record a good luck video for the Lionesses apologising for not being there in person.
Meanwhile, in an impassioned letter to ‘Sarina and all our Lionesses’ overnight, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak heaped praise on the team for securing ‘a lasting legacy’ for women’s sport.
Read the full story below…
Sarina Wiegman is fast becoming one of the most highly-rated coaches in the world for the achievements she’s managed with England, and she more than deserves that praise having led the Lionesses to European glory and now to a World Cup final.
By getting her side here today, Wiegman’s now the only manager in history to reach the World Cup finals with two separate countries, and her tactical intelligence has been on display throughout the tournament as she’s seen out results even when England haven’t been at their best.
Mail Sport’s IAN HERBERT has taken a deeper look at the genius behind Wiegman…
A huge welcome for what promises to be an exciting, nerve-wracking and enthralling day as England’s Lionesses go for glory in the World Cup final against Spain.
Sarina Wiegman’s side may be on the brink of history but they face a very strong Spain side and will have to keep their wits about them if they want to get their hands on that illustrious trophy.
Strap yourselves in, because we’ll be here throughout the day to bring you all the latest build-up, match action and reaction from Stadium Australia.
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