2023 Women's World Cup Winner and Final Match
Spain won the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup by defeating England 1-0 in the final on August 20, 2023, at Stadium Australia in Sydney. The only goal was scored by Jennifer Hermoso from a penalty kick in the 29th minute after an on-field review confirmed a foul by English defender Lauren James on Salma Paralluelo, with the match referee using video assistant referee technology to award the spot-kick. Spain completed the tournament unbeaten in seven matches, securing their first senior Women's World Cup title and becoming the first European team to win both the men's and women's FIFA World Cup in the same calendar cycle, as reported by official FIFA tournament records and match reports from the host broadcast partners.
The final attendance was 75,784 spectators, making it one of the most attended women's matches in World Cup history, and the match was officiated by Tori Penso, the first American woman to referee a World Cup final. Spain's goalkeeper Salma Bonmati was named Player of the Match for her consistent saves and distribution, while England forward Alessia Russo had a clear chance to equalize in the 63rd minute but was denied by a low save from Bonmati, preserving Spain's 1-0 lead until the final whistle and confirming Spain's status as the 2023 Women's World Cup champion.
Tournament Overview and Key Statistics
The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup was hosted across Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20, 2023, marking the first time the tournament was held in the Southern Hemisphere and the first to feature 32 teams across eight venues. Spain topped Group C with two wins and a draw, then defeated Switzerland 5-1 in the round of 16, Colombia 2-1 in the quarterfinals, and Sweden 2-1 in the semifinals before the final, with the team conceding only two goals across the entire tournament and registering a total of 18 goals, the third-highest tally in a single Women's World Cup edition.
The tournament generated record global viewership, with FIFA reporting cumulative digital and broadcast audiences exceeding 2 billion across the group stage and knockout rounds, and the final match between Spain and England was streamed on multiple platforms including FIFA's official digital properties and major broadcast partners. The prize pool for the 2023 tournament was increased to $110 million, with the winner receiving $42 million, a significant increase from previous editions, as detailed in FIFA's official financial reports and press releases regarding the 2023 Women's World Cup prize structure.
Spain's Squad, Coach, and Tournament Performance
Spain's squad was led by head coach Jorge Vilda, who guided the team through a disciplined tactical system that emphasized possession-based play and high pressing, with key contributors including midfielder Jennifer Hermoso, forward Salma Paralluelo, and defender Irene Paredes, all of whom featured in multiple matches and were central to Spain's progression through the knockout rounds. The squad was supported by a strong bench rotation, with players like Olga Carmona, who scored the winning goal in the semifinal against Sweden, and goalkeeper Cata Coll, who delivered critical saves in the quarterfinal and semifinal stages, ensuring Spain's defensive solidity throughout the tournament.
Spain's victory in the 2023 Women's World Cup marked a historic achievement for the Spanish Football Federation, as the team also won the 2023 UEFA Women's Championship in July, completing a double of major international titles in the same year. The team's performance has been widely analyzed in sports media and official FIFA publications,