In a tournament defined by the ever-narrowing gaps between the competing teams, it is fitting that this World Cup Final was decided by the smallest of margins. Not only did Spain defeat England's Lionesses by a single goal to nil, they also did so after a single mistake – a misplaced pass through the heart of their midfield – was seized upon with ruthless intensity. That counterattack led to Olga Carmona’s decisive first-half strike, a deficit that remained just beyond England’s reach, despite their best exertions and the addition of 13 minutes of injury time.
If there is any consolation for the Lionesses, then it is three-fold. First, with the injuries they suffered prior to this competition, they have outdone themselves to get to the final; secondly, the players who stepped up in the absence of Fran Kirby, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson did so with outstanding resolve. And thirdly, their heartbreak finds them in good company. The Netherlands were defeated by eventual winners Spain, but only in extra time and only immediately after one of their forwards missed two excellent chances within a matter of minutes. The United States, excessively hyped prior to the tournament by an overzealous marketing department, lost their penalty shootout to Sweden by a single millimetre. Germany, seeking to avenge their loss in the final of the Euros by making a deep run in Australia, found themselves bundled out in the opening round: they were partly dispatched thanks to an exquisite last-minute header.
A changing of the guard
This was the World Cup where, for the most part, the traditional frontrunners got caught or overtaken by the chasing pack. Witness, for example, Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco all reaching the knockout stages, the first time that all African nations had done so at a World Cup, Colombia making their debut in the quarter-finals, or Jamaica knocking out Brazil. These achievements were all the more impressive, given that several of these nations were engaged in pay disputes with their football federations either prior to or during the tournament. At the same time, the World Cup still saw two of the old guard end up in the biggest match.
In England’s case, this was due in large part to the remarkable coaching of Sarina Wiegman, who drew excellent performances from Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood, two footballers who have not always shared the brightest spotlight when England play. In Spain’s case, this was due to their extraordinary strength in depth, which enabled them to win at one of the most grim periods in their history: where 15 of their players were so concerned at the methods and general conduct of their coach, Jorge Vilda, that they bravely took it on themselves to boycott the national team. (Judging by Spain’s celebration at full time, where the players revelled in their victory at a careful distance from Vilda, that rift continues to exist.)
A fantastic tournament all round
It would be understandable for England and their supporters to be despondent. Overall, though, they can reflect that they had a key role in one of the most exciting spectacles of recent times, and which drove the entire sport forwards. Everywhere we looked, there was a thrilling story. Witness, for example, Australia’s Sam Kerr, whom it seemed that an early injury would deny a place on the grand stage in front of her host nation, and who then emerged from her anguish to score one of the goals of the tournament against England.
Or, say, Japan, whose forward line – spearheaded by the sublime Hinata Miyazawa – turned in performances of such counter-attacking brilliance that they briefly threatened to repeat their run to the 2011 title. There was also great joy beyond the pitch, particularly among the fans of Australia and New Zealand who took the teams of the joint hosts to their hearts, and among the broadcasters who – showing faith where their peers did not – invested early in this World Cup, and reaped vast rewards.
For now, England must grieve, beaten by a low drive of such precision that it eluded even the fingertips of Mary Earps. Earps herself was sensational in the final, saving a penalty from Jenni Hermoso and subsequently being named the World Cup’s best goalkeeper. The enduring image of the match was either Earps extended at full stretch to repel yet another Spain shot, or her team-mate Alex Greenwood, deep into injury time, flinging out a tired yet resolute leg to deny an attacker a clear run down the wing.
Whatever the Lionesses attempted in this game, they did so with maximum effort. Though these efforts didn't quite culminate in a win, the players will continue to be guided by Wiegman, arguably the finest coach on the planet, who – having led two countries to the final of the World Cup, only to lose both times – has a substantial amount of unfinished business. If they carry on in this stirring fashion, then one day that elusive trophy will be less than a fingertip away.
