Spain and England face off in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final at Stadium Australia in Sydney today. Both teams are just one win away from creating history by lifting their country’s first-ever World Cup in the women’s game.
The Lionesses have played their way into the tournament after huge injury problems in the build-up and are looking to take their European success to the world stage. Sarina Wiegman has opted to stick with Ella Toone in her line-up with the returning Lauren James on the bench after her suspension. Spain, meanwhile, have dropped reigning Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.
Spain, meanwhile, have put a difficult build-up behind them too after off-pitch controversies between the management team and some of the players. They cannot be underestimated after such a breakout campaign in Australia. Follow Spain vs England LIVE via Standard Sport’s dedicated matchday blog, with Simon Collings providing expert analysis from Sydney!
Live updates
England fans in high spirits in Sydney!
Chelsea boss backs Lauren James to return with a bang
Lauren James has been backed to impact today’s Women’s World Cup final in whatever way possible by her club boss, Chelsea manager Emma Hayes.
“Lauren is an outstanding player and will go on to contribute many more moments for both club and country,” said Hayes here in Sydney on Friday.
“As always, she will be reflective and she’s moved forward from [the red card] and she’s very excited to be available for the final.”
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Unchanged starting line-up for England
Ella Toone gets the nod over Lauren James upon her return from suspension in an unchanged Lionesses team.
It looks like the 3-4-1-2 recently deployed by Sarina Wiegman, yet a return to 4-2-3-1 is possible with that line-up if the manager fancies springing a surprise.
The England team is out!
England XI: Earps; Carter, Bright, Greenwood; Bronze, Walsh, Stanway, Daly; Toone; Russo, Hemp.
Lucy Staniforth interview
Ahead of the game, our reporter Dom Smith caught up with England standby squad member Lucy Staniforth for her take on the Women’s World Cup final.
“Out of all the teams in this tournament, you can tell that we’ve won a trophy,” she says. “We’ve been unshakeable from knockbacks. It just shows we’ve been there and done it before.”
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Lucy Staniforth believes England are favourites to lift the World Cup trophy when they face Spain in Sunday’s final in Sydney
/ The FA via Getty ImagesKey battles to watch: Aita Bonmati vs Keira Walsh
The two midfielders are club-mates at Barcelona, so know each other well. Walsh’s influence for England has reduced over the course of the World Cup due to their switch to a 3-4-1-2 formation.
England have turned into a more direct side and Walsh’s role on Sunday will be more defensive based.
Bonmati has been one of the best players in the world over the past year and is a contender to win the Ballon d’Or. She is the most attacking of Spain’s midfield trio and likes to find pockets of space just off the front-three.
Bonmati has three goals and two assists so far at the tournament and, even with the return to fitness of Alexia Putellas, she remains Spain’s main playmaker.
Lionesses sent message by PM
The Prime Minister has told England’s Lionesses that the “whole nation is rooting for you” as they prepare to take on Spain in the Women’s World Cup final.
In a letter, Rishi Sunak wished England boss Sarina Wiegman and her players good luck for the final in Sydney, telling them: “You’ve made us all proud.”
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Women’s World Cup final weather forecast
Spain vs England match odds
Spain to lift trophy: 7/4
England to lift trophy: 7/4
Draw (in 90 mins): 6/4
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head-to-head history
England also faced Spain at the quarter-final stage of last summer’s Euros, coming from behind to win 2-1 in extra time at Brighton’s Amex Stadium courtesy of dramatic goals from Toone and Georgia Stanway that eventually cancelled out Esther Gonzalez’s opener.
They also met at the 2013 and 2017 Euros as well as at the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup, but this is the maiden Women’s World Cup clash between the two nations.
Spain wins: 3
England wins: 7
Draws: 6
