Spain defeated England 1- 0 in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday, capping off an
event that has broken attendance and television records and raised opportunities of a wave
in interest for the women's game.
The tournament was Co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, it was the ninth edition of
the global event and first time it was hosted in the Southern part of the world.
While local interest deteriorated when Australia exited in the semi-finals, just shy of two
million fans will have passed through the gates in nine host metropolises after Sunday's
final crowd of 75,784 is added to the count.
An Olga Carmona goal was the difference between the two sides in a pulsating game that
saw Spain produce the majority of the clear- cut chances.
After the game Carmona who was captain of the night and was named Player of the match
said," We suffered, it was a delicate match but we always thought we were going to make
it".
La Roja were rocked by a locker room disagreement between the team and coach Jorge
Vilda and the Spanish football confederation, with some of their best players absent from
the tournament as a result.
But despite a shock 4- 0 loss to Japan in the group stage, the team has shone throughout
the tournament with their brand of enchanting, attacking football.
Thousands of fans comminated around Stadium Australia in Sydney hours before kick- off
on Sunday, with troops of drummers and support tampers creating a jubilee atmosphere.
England and Spain were both making their first appearance at a Women's World Cup final,
while England's wait for a first trophy since the men's tournament in 1966 goes on.
Women in England were banned from authorized facilities until 1970 and have long lagged
the men's team in interest and backing, although that began to change after the Lionesses
won the European Championship last year.