Former Manchester United superstar David de Gea has congratulated Spain’s Women’s team after they beat England in the final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Sunday (August 20).
Olga Carmona (23) started the game as the second youngest captain to make the starting XI of a Women’s World Cup game. The Real Madrid left-back scored the only goal of the game in the 29th minute after her sweetly struck left-footed shot fizzed past Mary Earps into the far corner.
After the game, an elated and proud De Gea tweeted:
“Best team of the world @SEFutbolFem Enhorabuena chicas (Congratulations girls)🏆[Spain flag]”
De Gea is regarded as one of the Spanish men’s team’s finest goalkeepers, making 45 appearances, but he hasn’t played for them since October 2020. He’s currently without a club since being released by Manchester United last month.
This was the first World Cup win for the Spanish women’s national team. It was only the third time they had participated in the competition; they were eliminated in the last 16 in 2019.
Manager Jorge Vilda has now become the first manager to guide a European team to the Women’s World Cup since Silvia Neid lifted the trophy with Germany in 2007.
Pundit says Manchester United’s Mary Earps should be proud after performance against Spain in Women’s World Cup final
Goalkeeper Mary Earps had a fine Women’s World Cup for England, keeping three clean sheets in seven games as she won the Golden Glove award.
Earps (27) saved Jennifer Hermoso’s penalty in the 69th minute to keep her team in the game. She was also between the sticks when the Lionesses beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties in the last-16.
Former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley said via BBC Radio 5 Live:
“Mary Earps should be very proud. She has had an excellent tournament. Let’s not forget the penalty save she made in this game to keep England in it to the end. She has been absolutely outstanding.”
Earps, who plays for Manchester United in the Women’s Super League, also made four saves and recorded five recoveries against Spain. It will go down as one of the finest Women’s World Cup final goalkeeping performances in a losing cause.