Lionesses lose Women’s World Cup final 1-0 to Spain thanks to Olga Carmona’s strike

England’s quest for Women’s World Cup final glory ended in heartbreak at the hands of Spain.

In front of 75,784 spectators at Stadium Australia, Sydney, the spectacle was decided by Spain captain Olga Carmona’s first-half strike on 29 minutes after England right back Lucy Bronze lost possession on the halfway line.

Before that, England forward Lauren Hemp came closest to scoring for her side but her curling effort hit the crossbar from 15 yards out.

Despite England’s best efforts at trying to find an equaliser, Spain were the better side and duly saw off Sarina Wiegman’s side to clinch their first-ever World Cup and gain revenge

In truth the scoreline could have been greater for Jorge Vilda’s team but England goalkeeper Mary Earps made a brilliant save to stop Jenni Hermoso in the second half.

Lionesses heartbreak

‘I’m just deflated,’ said England defender Lucy Bronze post-match. ‘Obviously we went into the World Cup wanting to win it and we were so close, but in the end we couldn’t quite get it over the line.

‘I am proud of what we have achieved but I think everybody that knows me, knows that I only like gold medals.’

Spain reign supreme

‘We suffered, it was a difficult match (but) we always thought we were going to make it,’ Carmona, who was also named player of the match, told Spanish state broadcaster TVE.

‘I can’t imagine how much excitement there will be in Spain,’ Vilda told TVE.

‘We are going to celebrate here and we don’t know when it will end.’

England’s World Cup wait continues

Despite winning the European Championship last summer, the Lionesses were unable to repeat their Wembley heroics Down Under. It means the 57-year wait for an England senior side to win a World Cup since the men’s side did so in 1966 will continue.