Devastated Lionesses collapse in tears on the pitch as bid to make Women’s World Cup history falls agonisingly short
ENGLAND’S Lionesses wept after narrowly losing the World Cup final 1-0 to Spain.
The Lionesses appeared set to enter the history books after reaching the World Cup final for the first time since 1966.
GettyMary Earps’ penalty saving heroics were not enough to bring it home for England[/caption]
ReutersLauren Hemp was consoled by Esme Morgan after the game[/caption]
ITVA devastated Alessia Russo at the full time whistle[/caption]
ReutersEngland captain Millie Bright showed her devastation at full time[/caption]
But they fell to defeat after Olga Carmona opened the scoring for Spain in the 29th minute.
England went closest to scoring with the score still tied at 0-0 in the first half when Lauren Hemp rattled a shot off the bar.
La Roja dominated the second half in particular, where their possession based style allowed them to slowly wear down their English opponents.
Spain looked set to put the tie to bed in the 69th minute when VAR intervened to award a penalty after a Keira Walsh handball.
But Mary Earps proved to be a monumental presence in the England goal again as she saved Jennifer Hermoso’s spot-kick.
Sarina Wiegman tried everything to find a solution for her England side to get back into the game, bringing on Chloe Kelly and Lauren James on at half-time.
She also stuck centre-back Millie Bright up front to operate as a target woman and paired her with substitute Bethany England.
But it ultimately was not to be, with England’s inability to hold on to posession throughout the game meaning the side struggled to build any sustained attacks.
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
The full-time scenes provoked emotional scenes after England’s Lionesses missed their opportunity to win their first ever World Cup.
Wiegman did her best to console her players after the whistle, keeping them in a circle on the pitch and giving them a rousing speech.
