Spain won the Women’s World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over England

Spain’s win against England in the first year of the Women’s World Cup in a professional setting. A player rebellion after a first World Cup victory

SYDNEY — Spain won its first Women’s World Cup title less than a year after a player rebellion, holding off England 1-0 on Sunday after Olga Carmona’s first-half goal.

Carmona also scored the game-winner in the 89th minute of Spain’s 2-1 semifinal victory over Sweden, becoming the first player since Carli Lloyd in 2015 to score in a World Cup semifinal and final.

The 16th was one of England’s best chances, as LaurenHemp’s blast caromed off the bar. A minute later, Salma Paralluelo raced to the goal but couldn’t get a clean shot and Earps stopped Alba Redondo’s attempt in the scramble in front of the net.

Spain’s victory comes despite a near-mutiny by players last year. The players are stepping away from the national team for mental health reasons and also want a more professional environment.

England had momentum going into the tournament after winning the European Championship at home last summer. Three of the team’s best players were not available for the World Cup due to knee injuries.

England coach Sarina Wiegman was the first coach to take her teams to back-to-back World Cup title matches. The Netherlands reached the final in 2019, but lost 2-0 to the United States. She’s now 0 for the season.

England was coming off a 3-1 victory over host Australia in the semifinal. Lauren James, who was the team’s top scorer with three goals and three assists, was forced to sit out two matches because of a suspension for stomping on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie to open the knockout stage.

The win of 19-year-old Paralluelo over Spain in the quarterfinals was inspired by the memory of her father, Olga,

Vilda started 19-year-old Paralluelo, who scored the breakthrough goal for Spain against Sweden, and the game-winner in extra time over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.

Paralluelo’s nearly scored seconds from half time but her shot hit the post. She was handed a yellow card in the 78th minute for a foul on Alex Greenwood, who had a cut above her eye.

Coach Jorge Vilda had a challenge in working around two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who was still working her way back from a torn ACL last year. For the final, Putellas was on the bench at the start.

Last year, England defeated Spain in the quarterfinals of the European Championships, winning on Georgia Stanway’s goal.

Just after scoring, Carmona, a 23-year-old fullback for Real Madrid, lifted her jersey to show a word scrawled on her undershirt: “Merchi.” She dedicated the team’s win to the family of a close friend who died recently, and later explained that the message was in honor of the mother.

“Yesterday was the best and worst day of my life,” Carmona said on social media. “I know that you would like to see me enjoy this historic moment, that is why I will be with my teammates, so from wherever you are know that this star is also yours, papá.”

The Spanish Football Federation said that Carmona heard about her father’s death after the game, but did not give any further details. The federation said it was standing with Olga, and he held a significant place in the history of Spanish football.

Spain’s men’s soccer after winning the World Cup at the 2010 World Cup: a public celebration in Madrid, Spain (from the first half of the tournament)

After the 2010 World Cup, Spain’s men’s team won the trophy and a public celebration was held in Madrid.