23-year-old left-back from Liga F club Real Madrid Olga Carmona became heroine when her strike in the 29th minute allow Spain to edge out England 1-0 in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, winning the country’s first ever World Cup in the history of women’s football. Carmona was of course Spain’s appointed captain in both the semi-final and final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and she has scored two of her three international goals in 22 international caps as match-winning ones for Spain in both occasions.
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First Final Appearance for Spain and England in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Prior to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, both Spain and England had never qualified for the finale of the quadrennial competition, with the former’s best result being a Round-of-16 exit last time around in France 2019 while the latter had made into at least the quarterfinal stage every time they qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals (Including two consecutive semifinal appearances in 2015 and 2019).
Jorge Vilda named only one change for his Spain starting lineup in the final against England, with Salma Celeste Paralluelo Ayingono, the goal scorer for Spain’s opening goal in the semifinal, coming in for 29-year-old midfielder Alexia Putellas. On the other hand, England, who defeated the host Australia 3-1 in the other semifinal, fielded an unchanged lineup to challenge the team in red for each other’s first possible FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Just a minute before the half-hour mark, a dispossessed Lionesses saw Spain midfielder Teresa Abelleira deliver a wonderful pass for left-winger Mariona Caldentey, before the 27-year-old Barcelona player sent the ball to the overlapping and charging Carmona to slot it into the bottom right corner and draw the first blood. The goal was the defender’s second in as many matches in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, having also scored the winning goal for her country against Sweden in the semifinal stage.
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Mary Earps Kept England Alive in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final
Being heavily outplayed by La Roja in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, the Lionesses had Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps to thank for not conceding more in the match. Among 13 efforts from Spain against England, eight of those shots were fired on goal, and the 30-year-old Nottingham-born shot stopper even saved a penalty that could have put the game to bed in the 69th minute.
It was the 23-year-old Carmona who was causing all sorts of problems to Sarina Wiegman’s England side once again halfway through the second half, followed by a hook-over from young striker Paralluelo. The ball had seemingly touched England midfielder Keira Walsh’s hand during the process, prompting the referee to have a check over the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system and eventually awarding a spot kick to the leading team. The all-time top scorer for both Barcelona and Spain Jenni stepped up to take the penalty and fired her left-footed shot towards the right, which was cleverly guessed by Earps to make the all-important save.
Nevertheless, England’s struggles up front in the final only meant Earps’ brilliance throughout the 90 minutes plus added time is wasted, allowing Spain to keep their 1-0 lead till the final whistle of the match and winning the first world title in La Roja’s women’s football history. 25-year-old midfielder from Barcelona Aitana Bonmatí was named the Player of the Match in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.
Carmona Learned of Father’s Death After the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final
In addition to winning the best player award in the final, Bonmatí was also given the Golden Ball honour for her outstanding performance in the competition, while the Golden Boot, Golden Gloves and FIFA Young Player Award and FIFA Fair Play Award of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup were won by Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa, Earps, Paralluelo and Japan respectively.
On the other hand, Carmona, who scored two winning goals in both the semifinal and finale of the 2023 FIFA World Cup, had a mixed feeling after winning Spain’s first world title in women’s football, as she learned of the death of her beloved father. In a post on her social media account, the 23-year-old left-back paid an emotional tribute to her late father for Spain’s prestigious win, stating “And without knowing it, I had my Star before the game started. I know that you have given me the strength to achieve something unique. I know that you have been watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace dad”.
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Y sin saberlo tenía mi Estrella antes de que empezase el partido. Sé que me has dado la fuerza para conseguir algo único. Sé que me has estado viendo esta noche y que estás orgulloso de mí. Descansa en paz, papá 🌟❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/Uby0mteZQ3
— Olga Carmona (@7olgacarmona) August 20, 2023
