Nine blaugrana World Cup winners!
Nine Barça players can now call themselves World Cup winners - namely Cata Coll, Laia Codina, Irene Paredes, Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmatí, Salma Paralluelo, Alexia Putellas, Maria Pérez and Mariona Caldentey - after Spain beat England 1-0 at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney in the 2023 World Cup final.
Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh played the entire game, but European champions England take home the silver medal this time.
Spain break the deadlock
Spain controlled the game from the off, with Salma Paralluelo trying to run in behind the English defence. However, the first good chance fell to Lauren Hemp, the Manchester City forward curling onto the bar after 15 minutes.
The goal would come in the 29th minute for Spain, captain Olga Carmona finishing a left footed shot into the corner across England keeper Mary Earps, after a good switch of play by blaugrana Mariona Caldentey. 1-0 at half time.
Jenni Hermoso misses a penalty
English coach Sarina Wiegman made some half time changes to try to wrestle back control of the game and the game became more even as as a result. The clearest chances were falling to Spain, however, Mariona Caldentey forcing Earps to dive to her left to tip a shot around the post, before Aitana Bonmatí tried a shot from outside the area minutes later.
Then a penalty was awarded for handball against Keira Walsh after a long consultation of VAR by the US referee. Earps again proved decisive for the English, correctly guessing that Jenni Hermoso would shoot to her left before smothering the spot kick.
9 blaugrana World Cup winners
England pushed and pushed in added time, with Lauren James coming to the fore and captain Millie Bright playing as an auxiliary centre forward, but blaugrana Cata Coll and her defence repelled every attempt.
Ultimately the final whistle blew on what has been a tremendous tournament for women's football and Barça in particular, as Spain were crowned champions for the first time in their history.
GAME STATS
Spain: 1
England: 0
Spain: Cata Coll; Ona Batlle, Paredes, Laia Codina (Ivana, min. 73), Olga Carmona; Abelleria, Aitana, Jenni Hermoso; Alba Redondo (Hernández, min. 60), Salma Paralluelo and Mariona Caldentey (Alexia Putellas, min. 90).
England: Earps; Carter, Bright, Greenwood; Bronze, Stanway, Walsh, Toone (England, min. 87), Daly (Kelly, min. 46), Russo (James, min, 46) and Hemp.
Goals: 1-0, Olga Carmona (min. 29).
Referee: Tori Penso. Yellow cards for Salma Paralluelo from Spain and Hemp from England.