The Finale: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England vs. 🇪🇸 Spain

08/18/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Match Notes for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final (Sunday, 6:00 am ET)

It all comes down to this! After 62 matches and 161 goals over the last month, Australia and New Zealand are about to wave goodbye to the soccer world at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The first all-Europe final is nearly here. It’s England vs. Spain for the title of world champs. Neither side has ever won the women’s World Cup, so it’ll be a celebration of firsts for one European nation with a rich soccer history. Let’s breakdown the teams and get ready for the grand finale.

Tale of the Tape: All signs seemingly pointed to England having the advantage on Sunday, but Spain’s sudden revival tells a different story. The Lionesses entered the World Cup with top-three odds to win it all. La Roja wasn’t in the top-five. Even after England lost Lauren James to a red-card ban early in the tournament, they never faltered. James is back, but England has survived the knockout rounds by narrow margins, including a penalty shootout with Nigeria (0-0, 4-2 PKs), a comeback against Colombia (2-1), and a late push past Australia (3-1). Spain has experienced a similar run, needing frantic late drama to finish off Sweden (2-1) and Netherlands (2-1), but this squad can find goals from just about anywhere. Three Spanish players have combined for nine goals (three apiece), more than most full teams scored in the group stage.

Offense vs. Defense: Long story short, England’s defense has allowed just three goals through six matches (1st among World Cup teams), while Spain’s offense has scored 17 goals (1st among World Cup teams). The frenetic pace favors Spain while the control game favors England.

Team Records (’23 World Cup)

England: 6-0-0 (+10 GD; Outscored Opp. 13-3)

Spain: 5-0-1 (+10 GD; Outscored Opp. 17-7)

FIFA Rankings (Pre-’23 World Cup)

England: 4th

Spain: 6th

Best World Cup Finish (Team History)

England: Semi-Finals (3rd Place)

Spain: Round of 16

Golden Boot Race

1. Hinata Miyazawa (Japan) — 5 Goals

T2. Kadidiatou Diani (France) — 4 Goals

T2. Alexandra Popp (Germany) — 4 Goals

T2. Jill Roord (Netherlands) — 4 Goals

T2. Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden) — 4 Goals

Still Kicking: Lauren James (England, 3 Goals), Aitana Bonmati (Spain, 3 Goals), Jenni Hermoso (Spain, 3 Goals), Lauren Hemp (England, 3 Goals), Alba Redondo (Spain, 3 Goals)

World Cup Schedule (Final Weekend)

3rd-Place: Sweden vs. Australia (Sat. 4:00 am ET)

Final: England vs. Spain (Sun. 6:00 am ET)

One last match to crown the champs!

FOX Sports: Spain vs. England: Everything to Know for Women’s World Cup Final