England’s Lionesses are just a game away from repeating the success of the 1966 men’s team after reaching the first World Cup final in their history.
Sarina Wiegman’s side dispatched the co-hosts Australia 3-1 in a memorable semi-final on Thursday, thanks to goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.
Today they face a Spain side packed which is packed with talent and attacking threat, but has also defied a tumultuous build-up to reach the final.
What time is kick-off today?
The 2023 World Cup final between England and Spain kicks off at 11am BST (8pm in Australia) on Sunday 20 August.
It is being played at Stadium Australia in Sydney, 75,000-plus capacity arena which was the scene of the Lionesses’ storming semi-final win over Australia.
There is live TV coverage on both the BBC and ITV, with the programming beginning at 10am on BBC One and 10.15am on ITV1.
You can also watch the match online via BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and the ITVX streaming platform.
What can you expect from England vs Spain?
Both teams are playing in their first final, with England having lost back-to-back semis in 2015 and 2019 and Spain having only won one World Cup match before this year.
The Lionesses are unbeaten in the tournament having topped Group D, while Spain were runners-up in Group C following a 4-0 loss to Japan.
Regardless of the result, Europe is guaranteed to end its 16-year World Cup drought, with Germany most recently winning in 2007, while it is 20 years since the last final to feature two European nations (Germany v Sweden in 2003).
As reigning continental champions, England are seeking to emulate the aforementioned German side by completing a historic double, having already matched Sarina Wiegman’s 2019 Netherlands team by reaching the final as Euros winners.
However, the European champions will have to navigate their way past a Spanish side rife with talent, including nine players from last season’s Champions League winners Barcelona.
Spain head coach Jorge Vilda has guided the side to their first final amid a backdrop of controversy and rows over the treatment of the team.
Less than a year ago, 15 players threatened to walk out, in arguments which threatened to derail Spain’s hopes before an uneasy peace was brokered ahead of the World Cup.
If an accommodation has been reached, it appears to be a delicate one. Only three members of the 15 (dubbed “Las 15”) were included in Vilda’s squad for the finals.
Asked early on at his pre-match press conference about the relations between himself and some of his players, Vilda replied: “Next question please.”
Spain lost 2-1 to England after extra-time at the quarter-final of the Euros last summer as the Lionesses went on to lift the trophy on home soil, with Wiegman and her players looking to add further silverware on Sunday.
The enormously popular Dutchwoman has already become the first manager to lead two sides to the World Cup final after accomplishing the same feat with the Netherlands four years ago.
She said: “Playing a final is really special. I know that. I never take anything for granted.
“Playing in another is really special, but we’re just preparing for the game. Yes, it is a final, but we don’t do anything different than we do normally.
“When you go so far in the tournament people get more and more excited and that’s what you see.”
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