Throughout a remarkable Women’s World Cup, superbly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the Lionesses always found a way. Whether coming from behind against Colombia, winning on penalties against Nigeria, or silencing a partisan home crowd against Australia, this group of England players has shown abundant heart and courage to go with the skill we already knew they possessed.
On Sunday, against a Spanish team whose passing rhythms made them worthy winners of the 2023 World Cup final, they could not find a way. But as manager Sarina Wiegman and her squad digest the bitter disappointment of defeat in the biggest match of these players’ lives, the rest of us can reflect on just how much they have achieved.
