Women’s World Cup Briefing: All Hail Spain

Plus: Women's World Cup Final: Spain Holds On for a 1-0 Win, Claiming Its First World Cup

ADVERTISEMENT Aug. 20, 2023, 1:15 p.m. Eastern time Cameron Spencer/Getty Images By Andrew Das In the moments after Spain claimed its first World Cup title, after the medals were collected and the queen had been hugged and the trophy was thrust into the night sky amid a thunderstorm of fireworks and gold confetti, there was only joy for its players. But World Cups are never about a single moment, or a single emotion. Nearby, the England players had seen their own championship dream dashed by the slimmest of margins, a single goal in a single game in a long month of them. Watching from afar, Australia could be proud of a few weeks it will never forget, the United States would have wondered what might have been, and a handful of teams — Jamaica and South Africa, Colombia and Morocco, New Zealand and the Philippines — could ponder what lies ahead in this brave new women's soccer world. But on Sunday in Sydney, there was only one celebration, and that was for Spain, a team that had nearly come apart before it came together, a team that set aside its significant differences to achieve the biggest first in a World Cup filled with them. That meant more for its singular moment. And it was, to Spain's players, worth everything. "We deserve it," Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí said. No one could disagree. Thank you for following along with our Women's World Cup Briefing, which will end with this last edition today. It has meant more than you know for our whole Sports team. Featured Today Cameron Spencer/Getty Images   Women's World Cup Final: Spain Holds On for a 1-0 Win, Claiming Its First World Cup Though England showed signs of life in the second half, including a penalty save from goalkeeper Mary Earps, Spain was much more aggressive in earning the championship. Read this story Standings Latest Results FULL TIME Spain 1 England 0 More World Cup Coverage For Spain, a World Cup Title Built on Talent, Not Harmony A team that had endured all that Spain has in the past 12 months should not be able to win a World Cup. And yet that is precisely what it did. England, the World Cup's Great Survivor, Runs Out of Lifelines For weeks, England had found a way to win matches and keep its title dream alive. Against Spain, it ran out of magic, and time. Wanted: Female Athletes. Multiple Vacancies. Australia's major sports need talent to stock their women's leagues. They are all looking at the same athletes. See more stories Get more Times newsletters in your inbox On Tennis Our analysis of the most interesting stories and athletes, delivered daily during the U.S. Open. Sign up here Breaking News Get informed as important news breaks around the world. Sign up here The Evening Catch up on the biggest news, and wind down to end your day. Sign up here Your Places: Global Update All the latest news for any part of the world you select. Sign up here Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Women's World Cup Briefing from The New York Times. To stop receiving Women's World Cup Briefing, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018