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Spain and England will duke it out in Sydney on Sunday for the Women’s World Cup, as each side play in soccer’s biggest game for the first time.
England manager Sarina Wiegman aims to follow up last year’s impressive victory at the Euros with a World Cup title, and made it to Sydney despite losing three important players to injury before the tournament began and suffering a lineup-disrupting suspension to Lauren James in the middle of the tournament. She has skillfully utilized England’s deep pool of players to earn a spot in the final, and the Lionesses arrive at the match as the favorites to win the title.
Spain have long been a team on the rise and lived up to the hype Down Under thanks to the country’s trademark style of play. La Roja won their first-ever knockout match at a major international tournament at this World Cup, and rode the momentum to the final as the likes of Aitana Bonmati and 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo made a name for themselves at the tournament.
The meeting sets up a high-stakes tactical battle for Wiegman and Spain’s Jorge Vilda, and a star-making turn for a handful of players in the biggest game of their careers.
Will the stars start in Sydney?
Both managers will have major lineup decisions to make for the final, especially as it pertains to a pair of attack-minded stars. James will be available for England after serving a two-match ban for a red card she picked up in the round of 16 triumph over Nigeria, and before that was the team’s standout player with three goals and three assists through the first four games. Ella Toone has slotted in nicely in James’ absence, though, and scored in England’s semifinal victory over Australia.
As for Spain, the question is whether or not to start Putellas. The Ballon d’Or winner has yet to hit her top form as she recovers from an ACL tear suffered in April, nor has she put in a 90 minute shift at the World Cup. Her most…
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