Spain and England will face each other in the final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup on Sunday at Sydney’s Stadium Australia. The match kicks off at 6am ET/ 11am BST/ 8am AEST. Two first-time finalists will square off for the first time since the first event started in 1991.
Both teams have faced challenges along the way, from England’s pre-tournament injuries to captain Leah Williamson, stars Fran Kirby and Beth Mead, as well as a two-game suspension for midfielder Lauren James, who is eligible to return for the final, to Spain’s injuries and a dash of drama from 15 players refusing to play last fall until problems with the environment created by head coach Jorge Vilda were resolved.
But on the pitch, however, they both delivered. Spain stunned Sweden on Tuesday, scoring twice in nine minutes to secure a 2-0 win, while England put an end to co-host Australia’s dream run on Wednesday.
Spain vs England Match Preview for the Women’s World Cup 2023
Spain or England will join the United States, Germany, Norway, and Japan as the fifth women’s World Cup champions. It will also mark the third time in the tournament history that two European nations are meeting in the final, following Norway’s 2-0 victory over Germany in 1995, and Germany’s 2-1 victory over Sweden in 2003.
England could be the second team after Germany to go all the way and win the Women’s World Cup as European champions. However, they will face a formidable opponent in Spain, who have scored an impressive 17 goals in the first six games of this Women’s World Cup, an increase of 11 compared to the first seven games of previous editions (6 each in 2015 and 2019).
At the other end of the pitch, Jorge Vilda’s team have been a bit unlucky, giving up seven goals so far in this tournament – more than any other team to make it to the final since 1991 when Norway gave up eight. Of the goals they’ve given up, four came in a 4-0 loss to Japan in their group stage game.
It doesn’t look like Wiegman’s team will see that little of the ball with Keira Walse around. Of all the players who have tried at least 100 passes while under duress from a team at this year’s Women’s World Cup, Walsh leads the way with an 86.7% completion rate, followed by Spain’s Tereza Abelleira at 85.5%.
One more to go, @ellatoone99 👊 pic.twitter.com/LCmQK7jsZb
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 19, 2023
Spain vs England Head-to-Head
- England and Spain will face each other for the first time at a Women’s World Cup.
- England have triumphed in seven and lost four of their last 13 games against Spain, who have triumphed only twice in their last 13 meetings.
- Their last meeting was in the quarter-final of last year’s European Championship, which England won 2-1 at home in Brighton.
Spain vs England Prediction
We believe Spain have the quality in the final phase to break down England’s solid defense but the Lionesses have their own attacking threat and we think they will use their experience gained from beating Germany in last year’s European Championship final to beat La Roja and win the Women’s World Cup.
Our prediction Spain 1-2 England
Spain vs England Starting Line-up
Spain Women probable starting lineup:
Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Codina, Carmona; Bonmati, Abelleira, Hermoso; Redondo, Caldentey, Gonzalez
England Women probable starting lineup:
Earps; Carter, Bright, Greenwood; Bronze, Stanway, Walsh, Daly; Toone; Russo, Hemp
Spain vs Sweden Kick-off Time
Our FINAL outing ✨
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 19, 2023
For those in the UK, Sunday’s game will be broadcast live on both @BBCOne and @ITV 📺 pic.twitter.com/BgEslDgctU
Spain vs England Odds
The betting line for Spain is at +165 (with a $100 line to win $165), while England is at +190. The money line for a 90-minute draw is at +195, and the total goal over/under is 1.5. The odds for Spain vs. England, with Spain -120 to win the trophy, and England -105.
- Spread: Spain -0.5 (+160) / England +0.5 (-210)
- Over/Under: 1.5 Goals (Over -200/Under +150)
- Match Odds: Spain +165 / England +190 / Draw +195
- Match Winner: Spain -120 / England -105
Spain Team News
Olga Carmona will be expected to stay in the starting lineup for Spain after doing really well in Oihane Hernandez’s absence, who is back after being suspended for the final.
Carmohmyword! 😳☄️
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 15, 2023
Olga Carmona decided this #FIFAWWC Semi-Final with an absolute screamer. Gets it from the corner, sets it up quickly and hits it perfectly 🚀
Is this one a #HyundaiGOTT2023 contender for you? Stay tuned for the voting after the tournament!@Hyundai_Global pic.twitter.com/zoYtk62b6u
England Team News
England manager Wiegman will be looking to either Ella Toone (who scored in the semi-final) or 19-year-old striker Lauren James, who has returned to the squad after serving a two-match ban.
Key Players to Watch
Spain : Aitana Bonmati
England : Keira Walsh
Spain vs Sweden : Road To The Final
What a journey it’s been for Spain. 💫🇪🇸#FIFAWWC | @SEFutbolFem pic.twitter.com/wz8H3onWHL
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 17, 2023
1️⃣3️⃣ Goals scored.
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 18, 2023
3️⃣ Goals conceded.
Which was the @Lionesses‘ best performance en route to the #FIFAWWC Final? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/gNWsrMo5Nq
Spain vs England Match Details
Match Day: Sunday, August 20, 2023
Match Time: 6am ET/ 8pm AEST/ 11am BST
Venue: at Sydney’s Stadium Australia. Australia
Last meeting: Spain 1-2 England ( 2022 | European Championship)
Where to Watch Spain vs England Match Live
- USA : FOX, Telemundo Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, Peacock (Spanish),Telemundo Deportes site/app
- UK : BBC Two BBC iPlayer, BBC website
- Australia : Optus Sport
- Canada : TSN2 TSN+, TSN site/app, RDS site/app
- India : DD Sports FanCode
- New Zealand : Sky Sport 1 NZ Prime TV, Sky Sport NOW
- Singapore : FIFA WWC CH01 StarHub TV+, meWATCH
- Hong Kong : Now TV Viu TV
- Malaysia : FIFA+