Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy have to settle for being World Cup runners-up after England were beaten 1-0 by Spain in Sunday’s World Cup Final.
Russo was a starter, having started every game in the competition, while Lotte Wubben-Moy was an unused sub, a fate she also experienced in every game.
Spain left-back Olga Carmona’s first half goal was enough to win the game for Spain, despite Mary Earps saving a second half penalty from Jenni Hermoso.
Russo was substituted at half-time as the Lionesses struggled for a hold in the game but the change, if anything, made things worse for England as they lost any outlet to hold the ball upfront.
Arsenal bound Laia Codina started at centre-half for Spain but was subbed on 76 minutes with an injury. She will sign for the club next week. The Gunners face Linkoping in a Champions League qualifier in Sweden in 17 days’ time and, given the importance of the fixture, all of the players who took part in games in Australia this weekend will almost certainly be called back to play.
It means that Arsenal players scored a total of 11 goals in the competition, with Swedish centre-half Amanda Ilestedt bagging four, Alessia Russo three, Steph Catley two and Stina Blackstenius and Caitlin Foord a goal a piece. Amanda Ilestedt was voted the third best player at the tournament. Arsenal’s players who exited during the group stage have rejoined the squad for pre-season training. Arseblog News will be in Linkoping for Arsenal’s UWCL qualifiers there at the beginning of September.
Linköping just sold their best player and captain. I’d wager we’ll have enough to overcome them.
I’m no football manager but when chasing a goal in any final why would you take off two of the top scorers in WSL and leave Stanway and Walsh who provided nothing whatsoever throughout the entire tournament on the pitch? No creative play at all in the second half just under the cosh for the whole period. That is likely the best chance ever for England to win the World Cup and they blew it! Seems to me we are still playing reputations and not in form players. Apart from one thunderbolt in the semi, Toone didn’t do much either… Read more »
I wasn’t able to watch the game live and so have only just watched the whole replay (but managed to avoid knowing the result in advance!) To be honest, Spain were better in every aspect of the game, defence, attack and especially midfield. We did need an extra player in midfield which we nominally achieved by bringing in James and keeping Toone on the field. In practice they were still outplayed, and also had no central attacker to pass to.
Exactly. We did defend valiantly but we were never going to win that match. Spain are just better.
Very much agree with this. For the last twenty minutes or so I felt England just kept giving the ball away cheaply – not during Ley attacking moments when you have no choice but to risk possession. Did we manage a shot in injury time? I don’t recall one.
If there was ever a time to sub all of your defenders for strikers “a la Wenger” the World Cup Final is surely surely it.
You still need players to manage the midfield even when you are chasing a goal. You can’t just throw a bunch of forwards on the field and expect to score.
Spain have improved their shots on target ratio massively since the first game. Russo and Codina both did very well. All you can really say is that the best team won. With the depth of talent Spain have coming through I think they will unstoppable for the next four years at least. They outclassed us.
So we will have to start the season with tired players.
Sorry to post randomly but can admin 301 redirect news.arseblog.com to arseblog.news – also a nod that I’ve been enjoying the coverage
Thanks Tim.
Katie McCabe also scored ?
Paul
Yep she scored an Olimpico. Brilliant!
The i named four England players in their “team of the tournament”. Earps and Greenwood well deserved, but Stanway and Hemp? They also included Ashleigh Plumptre – I really wish we’d sign her.
Plumptre wasn’t exactly outstanding at Leicester – solid but nothing special. In any case, I believe she’s heading away from the WSL. According to the BBC Sport website, an announcement is forthcoming.
USA would be my guess.
Mary Earps definitely, without her England would not have been in the final. Alex Greenwood had a good run but was she one of the best? Surely Lauren James had as much if not more impact. Lauren Hemp was on fire so I would take her on my team but she was let down badly in the second half of the final by the really curious restructuring of the team. I would not even include Stanway in my local pub side, I just cannot see what the hype is about! I still like Guzman of Colombia for a 19 year… Read more »
Likewise re Stanway. Basically she kicks players where it will hurt and smirks. Oh and she shoots from outside the box.
Guzman, also agree there. Vicky Bècho was my favourite young player. So mature, so much football intelligence.
Earp’s outstanding.
This is Karen Bardsley’s team of the tournament – much more like it, IMO.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66574772
One point only – I would have played Zelem instead of Walsh, which would have brought much more control and attacking flair 🙂
Yes we played better when Walsh was not on the pitch due to injury but apparently she is indispensable when fit. To me she added nothing to the team which more often than not simply kicked the ball past her!