This is not the way it was meant to finish for England.

Hope turned to heartbreak.

There was to be no addition to the trophy cabinet for the European champions a yr on from Wembley glory. Just unhappiness in Sydney.

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Spain is the brand new title etched on the trophy. At solely their third girls's World Cup, they're champions.

They've turned disharmony into delirium - a marketing campaign that appeared prefer it was going to be derailed by 15 gamers quitting worldwide responsibility final September has ended with the largest prize of all of them.

Only three of the insurgent group determined to return to the squad following protests towards their remedy by the Spanish Federation.

It is a reminder this World Cup has been surrounded by considerations in regards to the standing of gamers inside nationwide soccer associations.

Even the Lionesses head dwelling from this event not solely with out the trophy, however into talks with the Football Association in regards to the bonuses they imagine they're owed.

They will see this as a missed alternative as nicely to overcome the world for the primary time, as all the previous champions had been toppled earlier than the semi-finals.

The Lionesses had been the favourites, however in the end Spain had been supreme within the ultimate.

Sarina Wiegman's facet was reliant on Mary Earps producing a number of enormous saves, together with a penalty within the second half that might have seen Spain double their lead.

Read extra:England's World Cup dream ends in agony - as it happened'Gutted' stars share disappointment as Lionesses miss out on World Cup

Even taking that slender 1-0 deficit into the ultimate 20 minutes, England could not discover a option to objective.

Now they're going to regroup.

Many of those gamers will likely be attempting to qualify by way of the Nations League for the Paris Olympics, the place they're going to compete as a part of a British crew subsequent yr.

Then there's the defence of their Euros title in 2025 earlier than they will set their sights on attempting to lastly win the World Cup in 2027.