During the second half, Mary Earps executed a remarkable save to thwart Jenni Hermoso's penalty shot, but this momentum failed to propel the Lionesses forward, resulting in their narrow 1-0 loss. Sarina Wiegman, overseeing her fourth consecutive major tournament final, opted for an unchanged lineup, resisting the inclusion of Lauren James after her two-match suspension.
England's initial gameplay in the first half provided promise for Wiegman, as Lauren Hemp led the charge with the first on-target shot, comfortably collected by Cata Coll. Hemp maintained her role as England's primary threat, nearly breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute with a curling effort that struck the framework.
After surviving the scare, Spain countered with their own warning shot, as Alba Redondo's attempt drew a smart save from Earps. Following this, La Roja progressively asserted control in the opening half, confidently circulating the ball and pushing England to their defensive half.
The Lionesses managed to keep Spain at bay until the half-hour mark when Lucy Bronze's lost possession near the halfway line was swiftly capitalized upon.
Teresa Abelleira initiated a swift transition to Mariona Caldentey on the left wing, and the Barcelona forward provided a precisely weighted pass to Carmona, who powerfully placed the ball into the bottom corner.
Not content with just a lead, the tournament's highest-scoring team persisted in attacking, coming within inches of doubling their advantage just before halftime when Salma Paralluelo, who had scored in the previous two rounds, hit the outside of the post. In an effort to shift momentum, Wiegman made halftime substitutions, introducing Chloe Kelly and James for Rachel Daly and Alessia Russo.
However, these changes failed to yield the desired impact, as Spain continued their first-half dominance, exerting pressure on England's defensive line. Caldentey shifted inside from the left flank, testing Earps with a diving save, while Aitana Bonmati's attempt from the edge of the box sailed over the crossbar.
A pivotal moment arrived when Spain was awarded a penalty after an extended VAR review, penalizing Keira Walsh for a handball.Jenni Hermoso, a seasoned player, took the penalty, but Earps made a remarkable low save to her left, keeping England within striking distance.
Buoyed by this lifeline, England intensified their search for a late equalizer, with James coming close with a powerful strike that was tipped over the crossbar. Despite a substantial 13 minutes of added time, the Lionesses couldn't breach Spain's defensive line, allowing La Roja to celebrate their maiden triumph at a major tournament.
While England may be disappointed, they can reflect on a positive tournament, achieving their finest performance in a Women's World Cup.
