England hopes to bring Cup ‘home’ against revived Spain
SYDNEY — The rallying cry “It’s Coming Home” is one game away from reality and the end of England’s 57-year drought in global soccer.
The World Cup trophy can return Sunday to the birthplace of soccer for the first time since 1966. But if it happens, the journey back to England will be with the women’s national team and not the men’s.
The Lionesses have roared into their first Women’s World Cup title game, Sunday against Spain. It is the first all-european final since 2003, when Germany beat Sweden.
It has been a magical ride for both teams: England has been on top of the global game since winning the European Championship last summer, and Spain is in its first final less than a year since 15 players quit the team in protest.
England’s return to prominence has been led by coach Sarina Wiegman, who was hired in late 2021 as the team’s first non-british manager. Wiegman is back in her second consecutive finale as the only coach in the history of the tournament to take two nations to the final.
Wiegman was coach of the Netherlands when the Dutch lost 2-0 to
Up next What: Who: When: Where: TV:
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Women’s World Cup final Spain vs. England
3 a.m. Sunday
Sydney
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the United States in 2019.
“Every step has been really, really hard. But again, we find a way,” she said. “And I think the opponents, the women’s game has grown so much that it’s really hard to get through. So I know it’s very, very special, and that’s how it feels, too.”
Spain, meanwhile, has defied expectations in the World Cup by reaching the final despite a near-mutiny by players last fall. Spain saw 15 players quit the national team citing mental health concerns. The players called on the federation to create a more professional environment.
Three of those players — midfielder Aitana Bonmati, forward Mariona Caldentey and defender Ona Batlle — reconciled with the federation and are back for the tournament. Coach Jorge Vilda has thanked the federation for its support of the coach repeatedly during the tournament, and his players have said they are focused on the present.