2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final Preview

Preview for Spain’s showdown against England at Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia, in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.

This showpiece match sees Spain and England participate in their very first FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, meaning that the victorious team will win their maiden Women’s World Cup title – with both teams having previously won the men’s version once each.

 

Team News

Alba Redondo and Salma Paralluelo are struggling with knocks suffered during their semi-final win over Sweden but are expected to be fit for selection, as Spain manager – Jorge Vilda ponders rotating his line-up with Esther Gonzalez looking for a recall.

Oihane Hernandez is available after she missed the semi-final through suspension but could start on the bench, should Vilda opt to start Olga Carmona at left-back again.

England have no fresh injury or suspension concerns to report as Lauren James returns from a two-match ban, although she might have to settle for a place on the bench after Ella Toone impressed in her place against Colombia and Australia.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Spain meet England at Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia, in the showpiece final on Sunday 20 August at 12pm CEST (11am UK Time), with live coverage on BBC One and ITV1 in the UK.

 

Route to Final

Spain

Round	Opposition	Result
Group C	Costa Rica	3-0
Group C	Zambia	5-0
Group C	Japan	0-4
R16	Switzerland	5-1
QF	Netherlands	2-1 (AET)
SF	Sweden	2-1

Spain opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica before Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo both scored twice in a 5-0 win over Zambia, which secured their qualification for the knockout stages despite missing out on top spot in Group C after a 4-0 loss to Japan.

Aitana Bonmati’s brace of goals and assists guided the Spanish to a ruthless 5-1 demolition of Switzerland in the Round of 16, before substitute – Salma Paralluelo struck an extra-time winner to beat Netherlands 2-1 in the Quarter-Finals.

Spain eventually overcame Sweden in a tense semi-final with Olga Carmona’s 89th minute winning strike to reach their first Women’s World Cup Final, after Paralluelo’s opening goal had been cancelled out by Rebecka Blomqvist.

 

England

Round	Opposition	Result
Group D	Haiti	1-0
Group D	Denmark	1-0
Group D	China	6-1
R16	Nigeria	0-0 (4-2 on penalties)
QF	Colombia	2-1
SF	Australia	3-1

First half winners from Georgia Stanway and Lauren James proved enough for Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses to beat Haiti and Denmark respectively, before James netted a brace and hat-trick of assists as England hammered China 6-1 to top Group D.

England overcame Nigeria 4-2 on penalties in their Round of 16 victory, following a a goalless draw during which James was red carded for a stamp on Michelle Alozie’s back and subsequently handed a two-match ban.

Alessia Russo’s second half winner saw England come from behind to beat Colombia, after Lauren Hemp had cancelled out Leicy Santo’s opening goal in a tense Quarter-Final encounter.

Late goals from Hemp and Russo saw England eliminate tournament co-hosts, Australia in the semi-finals by a 3-1 result, after Ella Toone’s first half strike was cancelled out by Sam Kerr’s powerful long-range strike.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Spain’s first-ever meeting against England at a Women’s World Cup.
• England have won two of three previous meetings against Spain at major tournaments (W2, L1), including their only previous knockout clash at UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 after extra time..
• Spain have avoided defeat in four of their last nine meetings against England in all competitions (W2, D2, L5).
• Jorge Vilda’s La Roja have opened the scoring in all three of their knockout matches at this tournament (W3).
• England have conceded just twice from open play at this tournament which came in wins over Colombia and Australia respectively.
• This is Spain’s first-ever major final in all women’s competitions, whereas England are in their fourth major final across all women’s competitions – having reached Euro Final on three occasions.

 

Prediction

Considered as slight underdogs given their lack of national success on the world stage coming into this final, Spain are packed with serial winning players at club level which will give them belief, although they’re going to have to play much better than they did against Sweden in the semi-final.

For much of that game, Spain dominated but lacked the clinical end product until they found a late spark which proved the difference – even after they conceded a sloppy equaliser which shows that their defence can be breached by bigger teams as seen in this tournament.

England on the other hand delivered an outstanding performance against co-hosts, Australia because they dictated the tempo, whilst playing with fluidity and intensity in their movement, pressing and passes even after conceding a classy equaliser from a momentary lack of tight marking.

Wiegman’s Lionesses also know how to win major tournaments after they claimed the UEFA Women’s Euro title last summer, which could well become a mental advantage the longer this game wears on especially given how tight their last few meetings have been.

Either way, it would be a surprise if this finishes goalless like in their 2022 Arnold Clark Cup clash because both teams are capable of scoring, but if this goes to extra time then England’s Quarter-Final win at last summer’s Euros could mentally prove the difference.

Nerves however will be aplenty because this contest should be extremely close given that the World Cup is at stake, yet there is a feeling that this will be England’s time unless Spain can spring one final curveball given how unpredictable this tournament has been.

Prediction: Spain 1-2 England

Result: Spain 1-0 England