The thrills, shocks and many brilliant moments of the World Cup in pictures
Football Mad -
The Women’s World Cup has offered thrills, shocks and brilliant individual moments during the biggest competition in its 32-year history.
The tournament, which began on July 20, has seen 32 nations compete in Australia and New Zealand, with many writing their names into women’s football folklore.
Spain lifted the World Cup for the first time in their history after Olga Carmona’s goal proved the difference against England in Sydney on Sunday.
Here, Football Mad looks at the pictures which have captured the essence of the World Cup.
Australia opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in a sold-out Sydney Football Stadium (Isabel Infantes/PA)Georgia Stanway’s retaken penalty was enough for England to edge past Haiti in their World Cup opener (Zac Goodwin/PA)England’s Chloe Kelly stopped for photos with fans after a training session at Central Coast Stadium (Zac Goodwin/PA)Katie McCabe (centre) scored the Republic of Ireland’s first goal at a Women’s World Cup in a 2-1 defeat to Canada (PA)Australia fans were put through a range of emotions while watching a screening of the 3-2 Group B defeat to Nigeria (Zac Goodwin/PA)England’s Lauren James scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Denmark (Zac Goodwin/PA)However, the result was overshadowed by Keira Walsh sustaining an injury (Zac Goodwin/PA)Vera Pauw’s Ireland claimed their first point in a draw with Nigeria (Isabel Infantes/PA)China fans gathered ahead of the Group D match against England at the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide (Zac Goodwin/PA)However, they had little to celebrate on the pitch as James (centre left) inspired England to a 6-1 win (Isabel Infantes/PA)Republic of Ireland fans gathered in Dublin to welcome their team home (Damien Eagers/PA)England were handed a boost when Walsh returned to training ahead of the knockout rounds (Zac Goodwin/PA)England fans gathered at Brisbane Stadium for the last-16 clash with Nigeria (Zac Goodwin/PA)The Lionesses rode their luck during a tense encounter (Zac Goodwin/PA)James was sent off for standing on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie (Isabel Infantes/PA)England eventually prevailed on penalties, with Kelly scoring the winning spot-kick (Isabel Infantes/PA)Back home, many England fans gathered in pubs to watch the quarter-final against Colombia (Aaron Chown/PA)The Lionesses found themselves trailing to Leicy Santos’ goal (Zac Goodwin/PA)Lauren Hemp levelled the scores (Zac Goodwin/PA)Before Alessia Russo grabbed the winner to send England to their third consecutive World Cup semi-final (Zac Goodwin/PA)Australia captured the nation’s hearts on their way to a semi-final on home soil (Isabel Infantes/PA)But their run was ended by England, as Hemp inspired a 3-1 win to take the Lionesses to a first World Cup final (Isabel Infantes/PA)Spain await in the final after they beat Sweden in the last four (Zac Goodwin/PA)Spain fans show their support before the World Cup final (Isabel Infantes/PA)England players walk on the pitch before the final (Zac Goodwin/PA)Lucy Bronze sits on a ball during the warm-up in Sydney (Zac Goodwin/PA)Spain players huddle together on the pitch before kick-off (Zac Goodwin/PA)Lauren Hemp, right, rattled the crossbar in the first half (Zac Goodwin/PA)Olga Carmona scored the only goal of the final in the 29th minute (Isabel Infantes/PA)Mary Earps saves a penalty from Jennifer Hermoso (Zac Goodwin/PA)Lauren James had an effort saved by Catalina Coll late on (Isabel Infantes/PA)Alex Greenwood needed a bandage wrapped around her head following a stray knee by Salma Paralluelo (Zac Goodwin/PA)Spain prevailed to lift the World Cup for the first time (Zac Goodwin/PA)Captain Carmona lifts the Women’s World Cup (Zac Goodwin/PA)Queen Letizia of Spain celebrates with the World Cup winners (Isabel Infantes/PA)Golden Ball winner Aitana Bonmati, left, poses alongside Golden Glove recipient Earps with their awards (Zac Goodwin/PA)Salma Paralluelo was presented the FIFA Best Young Player award (Zac Goodwin/PA)