Mandatory Credit: Photo by Keith McInnes/SPP/Shutterstock (14060651bj)
Sydney, NSW, Australia, Spain World Champions FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Final Spain v England at Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) 20 August 2023, Sydney, Australia. (Keith McInnes/SPP)
2023 FIFA Womens' World Cup, Sydney, NSW, Australia,, Sydney, NSW, Australia - 20 Aug 2023
That dude DOES look kind of like he just snuck into the back of the shot. Easily Photoshopped out, ladies!
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Xinhua/Shutterstock (14060646l)
Players of Spain celebrate after winning the Final between Spain and England at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Aug. 20, 2023.
Australia Sydney 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup Final Esp vs Eng - 20 Aug 2023
I love a jubilant pile of bodies!
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Xinhua/Shutterstock (14060646m)
Players of Spain celebrate after winning the Final between Spain and England at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Aug. 20, 2023.
Australia Sydney 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup Final Esp vs Eng - 20 Aug 2023
I also enjoy that there's an overflow pile next door.
Aitana Bonmati (Spain) and Ella Toone (England)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kim Price/CSM/Shutterstock (14060586ca)
Aitana Bonmati (Spain) and Ella Toone (England) battle for the ball during a FiFA Womens World Cup Final game, Spain versus England, at Olympic Stadium, Sydney, Australia
FiFA Womens World Cup Final: Spain versus England 2023, Sydney, USA - 20 Aug 2023
So balletic, for a sport that also completely rocks your head and body.
Lauren Hemp
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kim Price/CSM/Shutterstock (14060586iv)
Lauren Hemp (England) heads during a FiFA Womens World Cup Final game, Spain versus England, at Olympic Stadium, Sydney, Australia
FiFA Womens World Cup Final: Spain versus England 2023, Sydney, USA - 20 Aug 2023
Love it when the ponytails go vertical.
Cata Coll
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Xinhua/Shutterstock (14060648y)
Spain's goalkeeper Cata Coll (2nd L) makes a save during the Final between Spain and England at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Aug. 20, 2023.
Australia Sydney 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup Final Esp vs Eng - 20 Aug 2023
WHAT a save, and what a photo of it. Holy mackerel.
Bonmati won the Golden Ball, and Mary Earps, the Golden Glove. I was sort of surprised by that because I didn't think Earps had been tested in the way some of the other keepers were, but admittedly I lose track amid all the STRESS. She did post three shutouts, but sometimes that's misleading because isn't it also about how many shots you had to face and save on the way to victory? Anyway. I'm happy for her and I'm not complaining.
Some of these women, like Lauren James, still look crushed; others seem like they were able to be proud even through the sadness. I'm sure that ride is complex, but I hope they really ARE proud of what they've done. Euro champions and silver medalists in the World Cup! That's huge.
Sweden
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Isabel Infantes/Shutterstock (14058822cu)
Sweden team celebrate third place
Sweden Women v Australia Women, FIFA Women's World Cup, 3rd/4th Play-off, Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia - 19 Aug 2023
And Sweden has been consistently excellent over the years, and while I'm sure it's hard to come close but have no Cup, they'll get theirs someday.
Australia
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Isabel Infantes/Shutterstock (14058822cs)
Australia team looks dejected after losing to Sweden
Sweden Women v Australia Women, FIFA Women's World Cup, 3rd/4th Play-off, Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia - 19 Aug 2023
I really fell in love with the Matildas, and I cannot imagine how hard it was to fill up their tanks after the dream run ended against England.
Sam Kerr
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Isabel Infantes/Shutterstock (14058822dm)
Forward Sam Kerr of Australia sits with teammates looking dejected after losing to Sweden
Sweden Women v Australia Women, FIFA Women's World Cup, 3rd/4th Play-off, Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia - 19 Aug 2023
This photo really says it all.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Xinhua/Shutterstock (14052099t)
Sam Kerr (2nd L) of Australia shoots during the quarterfinal match between Australia and France at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brisbane, Australia, Aug. 12, 2023.
Australia Brisbane 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup Quarterfinal Aus vs Fra - 12 Aug 2023
Kerr was injured right before the World Cup started, but got back in the lineup as a sub and then eventually started against England and Sweden. Her goal against England was INCREDIBLE, and while this is not that goal, it's a beautiful shot of a shot.
Mary Fowler
Editorial use only
Mandatory Credit: Photo by DARREN ENGLAND/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (14059713dj)
Mary Fowler (R) of Australia in action during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Third Place match between Sweden and Australia, in Brisbane, Australia, 19 August 2023.
FIFA Women's World Cup third place match - Sweden vs Australia, Brisbane - 19 Aug 2023
She was a delight to watch -- her footwork reminded me of Rose Lavelle. She's also only 20, so she'll have a few more of these.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by DARREN ENGLAND/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (14051783gy)
(L-R) Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr and Steph Catley of Australia celebrate after winning the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Quarter Final soccer match between Australia and France at Brisbane Rectangular Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, 12 August 2023.
FIFA Women's World Cup Quarter Final match - Australia vs. France, Brisbane - 12 Aug 2023
So, I accidentally downloaded a LOT of photos of the Australians. I just really got sucked into surfing the wave with them and with the home crowds. Look how happy they are here after that France shootout! Also, there weren't any real outfit changes since the last post, other than the Netherlands, which is coming up. So... yeah.
Mackenzie Arnold (Aussie goalie)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Xinhua/Shutterstock (14052099af)
Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold (C) of Australia reacts with her families after the quarterfinal match between Australia and France at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brisbane, Australia, Aug. 12, 2023.
Australia Brisbane 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup Quarterfinal Aus vs Fra - 12 Aug 2023
And look at LITTLE WEE BABIES. (I think these are relatives.) I also learned, while checking that, that Mackenzie has had significant hearing loss and wears hearing aids when she's not on the pitch.
Eva Navarro (Spain 15) and Lineth Beerensteyn (Netherlands 7)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Richard Callis/SPP/Shutterstock (14050183ak)
Wellington, New Zealand, August 11th 2023: Eva Navarro (Spain 15) and Lineth Beerensteyn (Netherlands 7) during the 2023 FIFA Womens World Cup quarter final football match between Spain v Holland at Wellington Rectangular Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand (Richard Callis / SPP)
Spain v Netherlands, Wellington, New Zealand, August 11th 2023:, Wellington, NI, New Zealand - 11 Aug 2023
Not gonna lie, I was sad Spain beat the Netherlands. I wasn't done with Beerensteyn, just as a name. I did also GASP that they weren't playing in orange, even though I know they have to react to whatever uniforms the "home" team wears.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by James Whitehead/SPP/Shutterstock (14051773de)
Brisbane, Australia, August 12th 2023: Sam Kerr (20 Australia) celebrates winning on penalties and progressing to the semi-finals after the FIFA Womens World Cup 2023 Quarter-Final football match between Australia and France at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. (James Whitehead / SPP)
FIFA Womens World Cup 2023 - Australia v France - Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia, August 12th 2023:, Brisbane, Australia - 12 Aug 2023
Last one. I got a little carried away. Kerr-ied away?
