Tag: Women’s World Cup

A hero’s welcome: Spain’s victorious Women’s World Cup side parade trophy through Madrid

Spain beat England 1-0 in a tight Women’s World Cup final in Australia on Sunday.

Spain’s victorious Women’s World Cup side parade the trophy through the streets of Madrid on an open-top bus

Spain began their reign as Women’s World Cup champions by arriving home to a hero’s welcome on the streets of Madrid.

Fans packed the streets of the Spanish capital on Monday night as the victorious La Roja paraded through with the trophy on an open-top bus.

The players later got off the bus and took to a stage, where match winner and captain – who scored the only goal in a narrow 1-0 win over England in Australia on Sunday – was tossed up in the air by teammates.

The side had earlier touched down at Barajas international airport, where star defender Ivana Andres lifted the trophy as she walked off the plane from Australia.

It is the first time Spain has won the competition since its inception in 1991.

Spain’s Ivana Andres lifts the trophy. Pic: AP
Pic: AP

Pic: AP

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/a-heros-welcome-spains-victorious-womens-world-cup-side-parade-trophy-through-madrid-12944869

Women’s World Cup: Heartbreak for England as Lionesses miss out on final glory after defeat to Spain

Spain won the Women’s World Cup for the first time after defeating England’s Lionesses 1-0.

England’s Lionesses have missed out on glory at the Women’s World Cup after being beaten 1-0 by Spain.

Closely missing out on repeating their success at Euros 2022, Sarina Wiegman’s team fought to the very end at a packed-out Stadium Australia in Sydney.

But a first-half goal by Spain’s Olga Carmona, who shot across Mary Earps into the far corner in the 28th minute, broke England’s hearts.

It is Spain’s first major international trophy and makes them the first European team to win the Women’s World Cup since Germany in 2007.

England had come close to taking the lead themselves in the 15th minute when Lauren Hemp’s shot hit the bar.

A shot from England’s Lauren Hemp, right, hits the crossbar. Pic: AP
Spain’s goal by Olga Carmona

Two changes at half-time saw Lauren James and Chloe Kelly replace Rachel Daly and Alessia Russo for the Lionesses, as they tried to turn the game around.

Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso then missed a chance to double her side’s lead from a penalty – granted after a handball by Keira Walsh – after a heroic save by Earps, who dived to her left to save in the 69th minute.

James then forced a save from Spain’s goalkeeper from a tight angle a few minutes later, as England pushed for an equaliser.

Earps even went up to attack a corner in the dying moments for England.

But sadly, it wasn’t to be, as the Lionesses fell short at the final hurdle.

Earps saved a Spanish penalty. Pic: AP

Play was also briefly disrupted during the first half after a protester entered the pitch before an England free kick. The man was swiftly removed by stewards.

‘Absolutely heartbroken’

Captain Millie Bright said the team were “absolutely heartbroken” at the defeat.

“We can say hand on heart we gave everything. Sometimes football goes for you, sometimes it goes against you,” she said.

Complimenting Spain as a “fantastic team” she said: “A lot of emotion… but I’m really proud of the team. To come this far, to play in the World Cup final, not many get to do that.

“This is not it for us, we’ll bounce back.”

Women’s World Cup: Spain’s match-winner Olga Carmona found out father had died after game

Olga Carmona, who plays her club football for Real Madrid, played a starring role in Spain’s World Cup campaign by scoring the winning goals in the semi-final and final.

Olga Carmona kisses the World Cup trophy after the game

The Spanish star who scored the match-winning goal against England in Sunday’s World Cup final found out her father had died after the game.

Olga Carmona’s 29th minute strike was all that separated the sides in Sydney, securing a 1-0 win.

The Spanish FA has announced she found out about the death of her father following the full-time whistle.

“We send out most sincere hugs to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain,” it said on X, formerly Twitter.

“We love you, Olga, you are the history of Spanish football.”

The 23-year-old Real Madrid star wheeled away in delight when her precise left-footed shot found the corner of Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps’s net.

She lifted her shirt to reveal the message “Merchi” on her compression top, which was reportedly a tribute to a friend whose mother recently passed away.

The defender, who scored a late winner in the semi-finals against Sweden, was named player of the match.

Real Madrid said the club’s “condolences and love” were with Carmona, her family and friends.

Spanish team ‘had something special’

Carmona took part normally in the post-match celebrations with her teammates on the Stadium Australia pitch; dancing, getting her medal and kissing the trophy.

According to the Spanish FA, Carmona’s father, who had been fighting a long illness, died on Friday – before the final got under way.

However, Spanish media outlet Relevo reported that family and friends decided not to tell her the news, so that she could focus on the match.

Carmona’s mother and brothers had rushed back to Spain – having originally been in New Zealand for the group stages – but arrived in Australia on Saturday to support her in the final.

It’s the first time Spain have won the competition.

“We felt this team had something special,” she said after the game.

Before news of her father’s death, the Spanish FA had said title celebrations would take place in Madrid when the squad return home on Monday.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/womens-world-cup-spains-match-winner-olga-carmona-found-out-father-had-died-after-game-12944295

Spain have passed every test to reach Women’s World Cup final

It was written in the script that this semifinal would be settled by a decisive set piece. The twist in the tale, however, was that it was scored by Spain, rather than Sweden, to secure La Roja’s first Women’s World Cup final appearance.

By doing so with their 2-1 win at Eden Park, Spain sent a message to their potential opponents in the final on Sunday — the winners of Wednesday’s semifinal between England and Australia — that their supposed weaknesses are no more. This Spain team is the real deal.

“The feeling is just happiness,” coach Jorge Vilda said. “We picked ourselves up again after [Sweden] equalised, but with soul, with magic, the team keeps overcoming [hurdles].”

Vilda’s players had already banished the question marks hanging over their credentials prior to Olga Carmona’s 89th-minute winner, which crashed in off the underside of goalkeeper Zecira Musovic’s crossbar. But by sealing the win with a clever dead-ball routine, they also beat Sweden at their own game.

Sweden’s ruthless ability to capitalise on set pieces dominated the buildup to this match. Their top scorer in this competition is Amanda Ilestedt — a centre-back with four goals. Vilda was asked how his side would deal with a team that had scored the bulk of their goals in this tournament from free kicks and corners, while his counterpart, Peter Gerhardsson, appeared irritated by the inference that his side were nothing more than one who expertly played a game of percentages from dead balls.

But in the end, the team that made the set piece count most of all was Spain, when Teresa Abelleira spotted Carmona unmarked on the edge of the Sweden penalty area and played a short corner to the full-back, who took a touch to control before scoring from 20 yards.

“I am euphoric,” Carmona said. “I can’t wait for the final. I have never experienced anything like it in football.”

Just 94 seconds earlier, Sweden’s two late substitutes had combined to cancel out Salma Paralluelo’s 81st-minute opener, when Lina Hurtig headed down for Rebecka Blomqvist, seemingly taking the game into extra time. But Spain showed grit and determination by bouncing back immediately. It was a deserved winner. They had been the better team, the one that dominated possession, and they also created 13 chances to Sweden’s five.

Yet Spain’s 4-0 group-stage defeat against Japan, and the fallout from last October’s squad mutiny, when 15 players wrote to the Spanish Federation demanding changes behind the scenes, had left a cloud of doubt over this team as to whether they really had the ability to win against a team as strong — tactically and physically — as Sweden.

Sweden aren’t easy on the eye, but they are supremely well drilled. Had they won, it would have been a victory of steel over style, but Spain had too much for them and they will go into Sunday’s final as the favourites, no matter who they face. That’s because they showed they can not only control the game against more imposing teams, but they are also able to withstand the challenges that teams like Sweden, England and Australia can pose.

Source: https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/38195277/spain-passed-every-test-reach-womens-world-cup-final

Final Four: Australia makes it through to Women’s World Cup semifinals seeking history for Matildas

There will be a first-time winner of the Women’s World Cup this year, and maybe, just maybe, it will be host country Australia.

The Matildas, serving as co-hosts of the tournament with New Zealand, became the first home team since the United States in 1999 to win a quarterfina l in nine Women’s World Cups. Australia has reached its first semifinal in team history and faces England on Wednesday for a chance to play for the title.

“I genuinely really believe that this team can do great history in so many ways,” Australia coach Tony Gustavsson said, “not just winning football games, but the way that they can inspire the next generation, how they can unite the nation, how they can leave a legacy that is much bigger that football.”

England, the European champion, advanced with a 2-1 victory over upstart Colombia. England also reached the semifinals in 2015 and 2019, only to finish third and fourth and never reach the Women’s World Cup final.

But before the Australia and England showdown, first-time semifinalist Spain takes on powerhouse Sweden on Tuesday in Auckland.

Aside from a 4-0 loss to Japan in group play, Spain has been a force throughout the tournament. It even tuned out an earthquake roughly an hour before its quarterfinal win over 2019 runner-up Netherlands.

The earthquake Friday in New Zealand’s capital of Wellington measured 5.6 on the Richter scale and created minor shaking in and around the stadium.

“We were so concentrated on the game that we didn’t feel it, although we felt some shakes at the hotel the day before,” Spain coach Jorge Vilda said. “The victory of Spain was the earthquake.”

Sweden, meanwhile, is the highest ranked team still in the tournament at second in the world, according to FIFA. The Swedes got into the semifinals by knocking off previously undefeated Japan, the 2011 winners and last remaining champions in the tournament after so many early eliminations of the best teams in women’s soccer.

“I think we have the team to go all the way,” left back Jonna Andersson said, “and now we are one step closer.”

AUSTRALIA
The Matildas advanced after a tense — and electric — penalty shootout 7-6 over France in front of a sold-out crowd in Brisbane, Australia.

It took 20 penalties to decide the winner in the longest shootout in the history of the tournament. It was the game of a lifetime for goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, who stepped up to take a penalty with the score at 3-3 but hit the post.

Arnold then managed to twice save shots from French midfielder Kenza Dali, the first being waved off after Arnold was ruled to have come off her line for the first save. Arnold said she was “incredibly disappointed” to have missed her shot on goal and thanked her teammates for keeping the Matildas in the game.

Australia, at 12th in the world, is the lowest-ranked team remaining in the tournament.

Sam Kerr, the injured superstar who missed all of group play, came off the bench against France but ended up playing nearly a full game when the match went to extra time. Kerr converted her penalty kick. And the Australians have also been boosted by the play of 20-year-old Mary Fowler, who has stepped in to fill Kerr’s void in this tournament.

Arnold said the Matildas need a day to regroup before focusing on England.

“I don’t want to ever get ahead of myself, and we’re all the same in that aspect,” she said. “We just take one game at a time, one half at a time, whatever that is, and we just keep getting to the next step every time. So now that we’ve made the semifinal for the first time, we’ll take a moment to process what we’ve actually done.”

Source: https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-australia-england-sweden-spain-02d663dd771ae5d52c43b578b207c7cc

Women’s World Cup: England’s Lionesses through to semi-final after beating Colombia

Sarina Wiegman’s team will now face co-hosts Australia, who beat France following a dramatic penalty shootout, in the semi-finals on Wednesday 16 August.

The Lionesses have secured a spot in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup after beating Colombia 2-1.

Colombia led the match with Leicy Stantos’s goal 44 minutes in after she looped a shot over Mary Earps from the right, but England’s Lauren Hemp managed to equalise just minutes before half time after a mistake from goalkeeper Catalina Perez.

But it was Alessia Russo who secured England’s winning goal 63 minutes in, lobbing the ball into the bottom left corner from inside the penalty area which gave the Lionesses the lead.

Alessia Russo scored England’s winning goal 63 minutes into the match

Shortly after, Colombia’s Perez left the pitch with an injury and was subbed for Natalia Giraldo.

Sarina Wiegman’s team will now face co-hosts Australia in the semi-finals on Wednesday 16 August, with kick off at 11am UK time.

Speaking after the match, Russo told ITV: “It’s exciting, what more do you want in front of a home crowd?

“We got a bit of that tonight against Colombia. You want to play against the best teams. England fans can always dare to dream but we’ll carry on working hard,” Russo said.

Source : https://news.sky.com/story/womens-world-cup-england-through-to-semi-final-after-beating-colombia-12938471

UN urges FIFA to make good on equal prize money promise by next Women’s World Cup

The prize fund for the 32 Women’s World Cup teams is £86m – compared to £344m given to the men’s teams who took part in the tournament in Qatar last year.

Mary Earps saves a goal against Denmark

FIFA should ensure there is equal prize money by the next Women’s World Cup, the United Nations agency for women’s rights has told Sky News.

The governing body’s president, Gianni Infantino, has said it is “our ambition” to ensure there is pay parity for the 2026 men’s World Cup and the 2027 women’s event.

But he called it “the most difficult step” closing a gap that sees the men’s tournament enjoy a prize fund that is four times larger.

“We’ve heard that by the next Women’s World Cup in 2027 that at least the prize money will be equalised with the men’s World Cup,” UN Women sports lead Jennifer Cooper told Sky News.

“So let’s see – we’ll be holding them to account to make sure that happens along with the players’ union, FIFPRO. They’re really holding their feet to the fire.”

The prize fund for the 32 Women’s World Cup teams is £86m ($110m) compared to £344m ($440m) given to the men’s teams in Qatar last year.

UN Women has partnered with FIFA at this ongoing Women’s World Cup to promote gender equality, with that message featuring on some captains’ armbands.

Ms Cooper said: “As far as the equalisation of pay and salaries etc going down to the national level of all 211 of the national federations FIFA governs, that I think will take a while.

“And it will require, I think, additional transparency and reporting on the use of funding that FIFA at the global level, as how those funds are distributed and used.”

FIFA does have cash reserves of more than £3bn – giving it the financial cushion to raise funding for the Women’s World Cup.

But Mr Infantino has put the onus on sponsors and broadcasters to put more money into women’s football – highlighting their greater investment in the men’s game.

“Without this kind of investment, it’s actually a missed opportunity,” Ms Cooper added.

FIFA has also sought to ensure players receive a minimum income for the first time from playing at the World Cup – from $30,000 each for those exiting early to $270,000 each for the champions.

England forward Bethany England said at the team’s base today: “The more the game grows and becomes a bigger, wider spread for the female game, we deserve to be paid at least a reasonable amount for that.

“I don’t think it’s unacceptable to be asking for such a thing.”

Ms Cooper praised FIFA’s “accelerated pace of trying to equalise prize money” and funding projects that are not just aimed at the elite nations to grow women’s football widely.

“I think it’s really wise and I’m impressed by this speed,” Ms Cooper said. “We’re not there yet.”

National federations will be given the responsibility of distributing FIFA’s cash to players – raising concerns about whether it will reach them.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/un-urges-fifa-to-make-good-on-equal-prize-money-promise-by-next-womens-world-cup-12937513

Women’s World Cup roundup: Colombia into quarterfinals with 1-0 win

Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Round of 16 – Colombia v Jamaica – Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia – August 8, 2023 Colombia’s Catalina Usme scores their first goal REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

Catalina Usme scored the only goal of the match in the 51st minute and Colombia outlasted Jamaica 1-0 on Tuesday to advance to the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals in Melbourne, Australia.

Usme punched a left-footed strike past Jamaica goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer, first corralling a pass from Ana Guzman from across the box. Colombia is the lowest seeded team left in the Women’s World Cup and advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time.

Catalina Perez made multiple brilliant saves as Jamaica cranked up the pressure in the final 10 minutes and five minutes of extra time. The Colombia goaltender’s next test comes against England on Saturday.

–France 4, Morocco 0

Eugenie Le Sommer scored twice and France dominated Morocco from the open of the Round of 16 match in Adelaide, Australia to reach the quarterfinals. A match with co-host Australia on Saturday is up next.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/womens-world-cup-roundup-colombia-into-quarterfinals-with-1-0-win-2023-08-08/

IND-W vs SA-W, Women’s World Cup 2022 : Smriti Mandhana Hits Fifty, Mithali Raj Solid vs South Africa

India Women vs South Africa Women, World Cup 2022 Score Updates: Indian opener Smriti Mandhana completed her 22nd ODI half-century at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Women’s World Cup Live Score: Smriti Mandhana remained key as she scored another half-century.

Indian openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana got off to a solid start as they added 91 runs for the first wicket in 15 overs before the former was run-out for 53. Yastika Bhatia soon followed as she was dismissed for 2 runs as India went two wickets down in quick succession. However, Mandhana continued to pile on the runs to complete her 22nd ODI half-century and partner well with skipper Mithali Raj. Earlier, India opted to bat against South Africa at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch in a crucial encounter for both teams. Two changes each for India and South Africa in their respective final XIs. Meghna Singh came in for Jhulan Goswami while Deepti Sharma in for Punam Yadav and for South Africa, Lara Goodall came in for Tazmin Brits while Masabata Klaas is in for Tumi Sekhukhune. While South Africa have already qualified, India need to win — or for the match to be washed out — to make it to the final four of the World Cup. If they lose, they will need England to lose to Bangladesh by a worse margin so they drop below the Mithali Raj-led team on Net Run Rate.

Mithali Raj at the toss: “We’ll have a bat. Yesterday’s match was played on the same track. Spinners will get some assistance in the second innings. It’s a good wicket to bat when the sun is out. We have to be composed and play our best cricket. We have two changes. Meghna Singh comes in for Jhulan, Deepti in for Punam.”

 

India vs Bangladesh, Women’s World Cup 2022: Yastika Bhatia slams 50 as India post 229/7

India vs Bangladesh Live Score, Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022: Currently placed fourth in points table with back-to-back feats, India take on Bangladesh in must-win game. Catch Live Updates of IND vs BAN, being played at the Seddon Park, Hamilton.

India vs Bangladesh, Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022: India posted 229/7 in 50 overs after opting to bat first against Bangladesh in the must-win Women’s World Cup fixture in Hamilton. Yastika Bhatia, who scored 50, emerged as the leading run-scorer. Meanwhile, Mithali Raj failed to live up to her reputation, getting out for a golden duck. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana got the team to a perfect start, adding 74 runs for the opening wicket. However, Bangladesh bounced back well and picked three wickets in quick succession. Harmanpreet Kaur also failed to do much as she was run-out on 14(33). Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh then stitched a crucial 50-plus stand before Ghosh was caught-behind on 26. Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar then added 48 runs together to help India post a respectable total. India have so far won two games and lost three, including back-to-back defeats against England and Australia. They find themselves in a tricky spot against Bangladesh, who have put up a commendable fight against their opponents. A memorable win against Pakistan is the highlight of their campaign so far. India need to win games against Bangladesh and South Africa to stay alive in the tournament.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-vs-bangladesh-live-score-icc-womens-cricket-world-cup-2022-ind-w-vs-ban-w-latest-score-and-match-updates-101647886239984.html

Jhulan Goswami joins Mithali Raj in elite list with massive ODI record in Women’s World Cup game against Australia

Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj are now in a league of their own.

Jhulan Goswami became the first player to reach 250 ODI wickets earlier. (ANI)

Veteran India fast bowler Jhulan Goswami has become just the second player after captain Mithali Raj to make 200 appearances in women’s ODIs. Saturday’s World Cup match against Australia is Goswami’s 200th of her career. The 39-year-old Jhulan had earlier become the first player to take 250 wickets in women’s ODIs.

Mithali, on the other hand, is making her 230th ODI appearance. Former England captain Charlotte Edwards previous held the record for most ODI appearances before Mithali and Jhulan went past her. Among active players, South Africa’s Mignon du Preez is closest to the pair, having played 150 matches.

Jhulan is representing India in her fifth Women’s World Cup edition, having made her debut in the tournament in 2005.

Goswami had become the highest wicket-taker in Womens’ WCs by dismissing Anisa Mohammed in the 36th over of the innings with West Indies chasing a mammoth target of 318 set by India. The bowler, thus, lead the chart ahead of Fullston (39 wickets), England duo of Carole Hodges (37 wickets) and Claire Taylor (36) and another Australian in Cathryn Fitzpatrick (33).

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/jhulan-goswami-joins-mithali-raj-in-elite-list-with-massive-odi-record-in-women-s-world-cup-game-against-australia-101647609070142.html

India Women vs West Indies Women: Mithali Raj Scripts Massive Record In Women’s World Cup History

ICC Women’s World Cup: India skipper Mithali Raj on Saturday scripted a massive record in the ongoing Women’s World Cup

Mithali Raj has now captain in most number of matches at Women’s World Cups.

India skipper Mithali Raj on Saturday scripted a massive record in the ongoing Women’s World Cup. With India electing to bat against West Indies in their third match of the tournament at the Seddon Park in Hamilton, Raj has now made the most appearances as captain in Women’s World Cup history. She went past former Australian women’s team captain Belinda Clark, who had captained in 23 matches. So far, Mithali has captained India in 23 World Cup matches, bagging 14 wins, eight wins and one no result.

Mithali will be hoping to cap the record with a win over the West Indies, with India having lost one match and won one in the ongoing tournament so far.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/icc-womens-world-cup-mithali-raj-scripts-massive-record-at-womens-world-cup-2818431

Exit mobile version