Carli Lloyd nets in the 89th minute of the Women’s World Cup with Carmona scoring the only goal in Spain’s win over England
Carmona scored the only goal in Spain’s victory over England in the Women’s World Cup. Spain has its first ever Women’s World Cup championship, thanks to a perfectly placed shot by her in the 29th minute on Sunday.
Carmona also scored the game-winner in the 89th minute of Spain’s 2-1 semifinal victory over Sweden, becoming the first player since Carli Lloyd in 2015 to score in a World Cup semifinal and final.
The best chance of England was in the 16th when Lauren Hemp’s blast came off the bar. Earps stopped Alba Redondo’s attempt in the scramble in front of the net, when she raced to the goal, but she couldn’t get a clean shot.
Spain’s victory comes despite a near-mutiny by players last year. The players decided to step away from the national team because of their mental health and called for a more professional environment.
England had momentum going into the tournament after winning the European Championship at home last summer. There were problems with the knees of the team’s best players, and three of them were out of the World Cup squad.
England coach Sarina Wiegman was the first coach to take her teams to back-to-back World Cup title matches. She led the Netherlands to the final but they lost 2-0 to the United States. She’s now 0-2.
England was coming off a 3-1 victory over host Australia in the semifinal. Lauren James, who was the team’s top scorer with three goals and three assists, was forced to sit out two matches because of a suspension for stomping on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie to open the knockout stage.
Carmona, 19, celebrates the win of Spain in the quarterfinals of the Euros with a public celebration on Monday in Madrid
Vilda started 19-year-old Paralluelo, who scored the breakthrough goal for Spain against Sweden, and the game-winner in extra time over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Paralluelo’s nearly scored seconds from half time but her shot hit the post. She was handed a yellow card in the 78th minute for a foul on Alex Greenwood, who had a cut above her eye.
There was a challenge in working around a two-time Ballon d’Or winner who was still trying to return from a tornACL. For the final, Putellas was on the bench at the start.
The two teams met last year in the quarterfinals of the Euros, with England coming from behind to beat Spain 2-1 in extra time on Georgia Stanway’s goal.
Carmona, a Real Madrid player, lifted her jersey just after scoring to show the word Merchi on her shirt. She later explained that the message was in honor of the mother of one of her best friends who had recently died, and she dedicated the team’s victory to their family.
Carmona wrote on social media that the day was the worst of his life. “I know that you would like to see me enjoy this historic moment, that is why I will be with my teammates, so from wherever you are know that this star is also yours, papá.”
Carmona’s family and friends did not tell her the news before the match so she would not be influenced by them, according to a Spanish news outlet. Her mother and siblings were present for Spain’s victory in the final in Sydney, Relevo reported; they had previously returned to Spain after the group stage.
The Spanish team will revel in its victory with a public celebration on Monday in Madrid, at the same esplanade where the country toasted its victorious men’s team after the 2010 World Cup.
