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IN IMAGES: Spain celebrate first women’s World Cup trophy

Spain's goalscoring hero Olga Carmona hailed her "unstoppable" side as they beat England 1-0 to win the Women's World Cup for the first time on Sunday in Sydney.

Published: 20 August 2023 15:17 CEST

IN IMAGES: Spain celebrate first women's World Cup trophy

Spain's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup final. Photo: FRANCK FIFE/AFP.

Captain Olga Carmona scored the only goal as Spain beat England 1-0 to win the Women’s World Cup for the first time in an action-packed final in Sydney on Sunday.

Carmona fired her side ahead in the 29th minute and they were only denied a second when England goalkeeper Mary Earps saved a second-half penalty from Jennifer Hermoso.

Spain’s players celebrate winning the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup fina. Photo: Saeed KHAN/AFP.

Spain’s midfielder #10 Jennifer Hermoso, midfielder #11 Alexia Putellas and defender #04 Irene Paredes celebrate with the trophy. Photo: FRANCK FIFE/AFP.

Spain, who had never won a knockout game at the Women’s World Cup until this tournament and had lost 4-0 to Japan in the group phase, went ahead just before the half-hour mark.

Mariona Caldentey threaded an inch-perfect pass for defender Carmona, who came flying unmarked down the left before lashing into the bottom corner.

Spain’s defender #19 Olga Carmona celebrates after scoring Spain’s goal. Photo: DAVID GRAY/AFP.

Spain’s players celebrate after winning the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup final football match between Spain and England. Photo: FRANCK FIFE/AFP.

Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the Golden Ball for the best player. The versatile 25-year-old Barcelona star had a phenomenal tournament, playing in every game and was a cornerstone of Jorge Vilda’s side.

“I don’t have the words. I am so proud, we had a great tournament,” Bonmati told the BBC.

Spain’s midfielder #06 Aitana Bonmati kisses the trophy. Photo: FRANCK FIFE/AFP.

Spain’s midfielder #06 Aitana Bonmati receives the ‘Golden Ball’ award as Spain’s Queen Letizia (L) watches. Photo: WILLIAM WEST/AFP.

Spain fans celebrate their team’s win as they watch a live broadcast of the match. Photo: JAVIER SORIANO/AFP.

Last year Spain Coach Jorge Vilda was derided as a control freak who was not up to the job. In September 2022 the situation exploded — 15 of the squad emailed the RFEF to say they did not want to be considered for selection, citing their “emotional state”.

But he has now made history by taking Spain to their first Women’s World Cup crown.

Spain’s coach Jorge Vilda gestures after his team’s victory. Photo: FRANCK FIFE/AFP.

Spain’s forward #08 Mariona Caldentey (C) looks to the sky in celebration. Photo: DAVID GRAY/AFP.

Spain’s forward #18 Salma Parallue holds the trophy on the podium for the FIFA Best Young Player Award. Photo: DAVID GRAY/AFP.

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World Cup winner Del Bosque to watch over Spain's scandal-hit federation

The retired 73-year-old led La Roja to the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship titles, as well as taking Real Madrid to two Champions League triumphs.

“I’m proud to announce that the person presiding over the committee and representing it… is Vicente del Bosque,” said Pilar Alegría, the minister for Education and Sports.

“Del Bosque will be the face and representation of Spanish football.”

Last week Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD) created a committee to “oversee” the federation (RFEF) and try to pull it out of crisis.

Former president Luis Rubiales resigned in disgrace after forcibly kissing Women’s World Cup star Jenni Hermoso last year, while he and new president Pedro Rocha are under investigation in a graft probe.

“I believe that (Del Bosque) is the clearest representation of a good person of great human quality and, above all, an example of honesty and respect,” added Alegría.

The RFEF took decisions “beyond its remit” after Rubiales stepped down in December according to a report from the country’s leading sports court, resulting in the CSD creating the committee.

World and European football governing bodies FIFA and UEFA subsequently issued a statement expressing “great concern” at the situation around the RFEF.

“FIFA and UEFA will seek additional information to assess the extent to which the CSD’s appointment (of the committee) … may affect the RFEF’s obligation to manage its affairs independently and without undue government interference,” they said.

Spain is due to host the 2030 World Cup along with Portugal and Morocco.

The court report on the RFEF interim committee overstepping its bounds also raised the possibility the CSD may provisionally suspend Rocha, who was elected as Rubiales’ replacement on Friday, and other RFEF directors.

A CSD meeting Tuesday over potential punishments for these alleged infringements was put on hold after the sports court asked for more documentation, CSD sources told AFP.

The sources said the CSD plans to meet again in the coming days.

One decision allegedly beyond the remit of the RFEF was the renewal of current Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s contract in February.

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