Women's World Cup final defeat is not the end for the Lionesses

FROM STADIUM AUSTRALIA - Every hurdle England could have possibly faced at this Women's World Cup - from injuries before and during to a red card to their game-changing talent - the Lionesses overcame it. But they could not overcome Spain in the final.

"It's gutting, it's devastating, but that's football," midfielder Georgia Stanway said, disheartened and flat after the tough 1-0 loss in Sydney.

England were dominated by Spain, overrun in the midfield, leaving the strikers completely isolated. At the back, Jess Carter was pulled out of position, and the pace that Spain had on the counter threatened to punish England repeatedly.

But it was Olga Carmona who scored the only goal to the game to hand England such an agonising defeat, falling just short of glory on the world stage after last summer's European Championship win.

"People don't realise how difficult it is mentally,” Stanway added. "You don’t know how emotionally draining something like this can be. It's taking time, reflecting on it, being proud of it. We'll all want to hit the ground running. We're the Lionesses, we're not done yet. We've got many years, and I'm sure that one day this will be gold."

England faced a plethora of adversity in the 13 months since winning the Euros, losing two key players to retirement, while three others were ruled out beforehand due to long-term injuries. They battled an injury to Keira Walsh during the tournament, a red card to Lauren James and then faced the co-hosts in front of a heavily partisan crowd in the semi-finals. Yet the resounding pride of making it to the final in spite of it all is something that Stanway said they will feel eventually.

"I think we can be proud. The last nine weeks, seven games - to wear a silver, it's special.

"It's hard to watch another team celebrate when it's your goal and your dream. When the dust settles, we'll be really proud of this. We hope everyone is really proud of us back at home. We hope we've inspired many, many people. We're the Lionesses, so we won't stop what we're doing. We'll continue to break barriers, we'll continue to push on."

It was a rough first half for England, going 1-0 down after Lucy Bronze’s moment of madness, running herself into danger in the middle of the pitch, leaving a huge space and then non-existent tracking back. Spain captain Carmona drove into the vacated space and fired low last Mary Earps.

That one goal would end up determining England’s fate.

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"I'm just hurt about this moment," England boss Sarina Wiegman said after losing her second World Cup final, having seen her Netherlands team lose to the united States four years ago.

"That's hard to take now, and of course we did everything, we gave everything, we've overcome lots of challenges and today we did everything we could to win."

Chloe Kelly and Lauren James provided a change of pace in the second half, injecting new fight into the side but it would be to no avail. Saying beforehand that it would be the game of their lives, despite making all the right calls, the execution on pitch was not there for Sarina Wiegman

The crowd simply erupted, roaring as Earps, diving early, saved Jenni Hermoso's penalty to give England a bit of hope that there still may be a chance at getting back into the final. Yet what should have been a moment to spur on momentum fell flat, unable to break down the Spanish defence.

Golden Glove winner Earps was exceptional throughout the tournament, England's saving grace between the sticks and stepping up in the crucial moments. Her ability to stop shots resulted in three clean sheets, but her leadership and calmness also played a key role the Lionesses reaching the final.

Skipper Millie Bright found it hard to summarise her feelings. Overcome with emotion, tearful and deflated she said: "There are probably one million different feelings. Pride, disappointment - heartbroken that we didn’t win. We came off the pitch holding our heads high, knowing that we have given absolutely everything in the game. In the second half especially we left it all out there.

"We didn't take our chances today and those are the small margins that decide football in a final against a top, top team. You get those chances and hit the crossbar, the keeper makes saves. They get theirs and put it in the net."

Giving a message to fans at home, she continued: "It's been incredible. It’s surreal. Thank you for believing in us. I hope you have enjoyed the ride. It's been amazing. It's hard to see it like that. We've had an opportunity, and we've gained a medal that not many other players have got."