The curtains fall on the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Sydney today after 30 days and 64 grueling matches.
Today’s matchup between England and Spain makes it the 64th match of the tournament.
This tournament, which had New Zealand as the other host, is the 9th edition and commenced on 20th July. Nigeria’s Super Falcons are one of the few countries to have participated in every edition since its debut in China in 1991. The tournament, just like its male counterpart, is held every four years.
At the end of 90 or 120 minutes, a new winner will be engraved on the trophy, as the two combatants are making their first appearance at this stage of the tournament.
Africa’s representatives, namely Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia, all fell by the wayside. Debutant Morocco joined Nigeria and South Africa in the last 16, but today’s finalists, England, edged out Nigeria in a pulsating game which ended in a penalty shootout after 120 minutes, resulting in a 0-0 score. Morocco and South Africa were not lucky either, as they fell to France and the Netherlands respectively.
England, who double as European champions, have had an interesting ride to the finals, knocking out hosts Australia at the semifinal stage. Their performance has drawn huge interest back home, with the FA suggesting that Sarina Weigman, the female head coach of the Lionesses, could be considered to take over the men’s senior team after Gareth Southgate’s contract expires next year.
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