Spain beats England - 23rd August 2023

The 2023 Women's Football World Cup final was a battle between two teams who had never won the coveted prize - Spain and England. The match was played at Stadium Australia, Sydney to a packed crowd of 76,000. Fans around the world followed every kick, missed or saved goal cheering on their team to the final whistle.

An early goal by Spanish team captain Olga Carmona turned out to be the only goal of the match. Although Spain were awarded a penalty late in the second half, English goalkeeper Mary Earps got her hands to the ball before it crossed the line. As the final whistle blew, Spanish fans cheered with elation whilst for England fans there were tears of disappointment.

Elena Kerstjens: "It was amazing since minute one. It was great."

Arturojimenez De Parga: "I think overall we had more chances. England had one post, I think. We had a couple of chances. Their goalkeeper was really good but we missed a penalty. So I think we're, yeah, we deserved the victory."

Juliet Mason: "It was so close, could have gone another way. And yeah we were just, just a little bit unlucky on the day. Just didn't quite click, but yeah we're so proud of the girls, just disappointed for them because it was, it could have gone the other way. Fine margins in football."

The gripping final was the conclusion of a month-long competition held across Australia and New Zealand. Not only was it the best attended but was also followed by tens of millions worldwide. It's hoped that the success of the competition will help the players fight for equality in the game as many are in dispute with their national federations about pay and conditions.

The public has shown they want to see more of a sport that 50 years ago was banned even for women in the UK and is still prohibited in some countries today. Jolie Hill is a student from London.

Jolie Hill: "Everyone thought I was crying cause we lost, but I'm crying cause we done, they done us so proud. As women in society today, we can prove that we can do better than what the men -- well, as good as what the men can do, you know. Like, we've got, come to a final. The fact that like 50-60 years ago, we weren't even allowed to play football in this country, and now we're here in the final of the Women's World Cup... I'm so proud of them. Like, genuinely, it, it does bring a tear to my eye."