Page 81 - Soccer360 - Issue 103

FACT FILE
Awards: Golden Ball: Aitana Bonmati (ESP)
Golden Boot:
Hinata Miyazawa
(JPN)
Golden Glove:
Mary Earps
(ENG)
Best Young Player:
Salma Paralluelo
(ESP)
Having won the
Cup last year, Spain became the first nation to hold all three global titles simultaneously. Salma Paralluelo is the first player to win all three of these FIFA competitions.
2.) MATILDAS MAKE IT TO THE SEMIFINALS
It took fourteen penalty kicks to get there,but in the end the journey was worth it for Australia. After facing down tournament favorites France for the better part of 90 minutes, the Matildas continued their march to an eventual third place showing by knocking off Les Bleus 7-6 in the longest penalty kick tiebreaker in World Cup history. Defender Cortne Vine delivered the final blow for the Aussies, which whipped the heavily partisan 49, 461 in attendance and the millions across the country at home into a frenzy.
1.) LA ROJA’S GOLDEN MOMENT
World Cups have always been much more than just the games themselves. They are a representation
of not just countries, but the people that live within them. Every result, from the small ones to winning the World Cup, carry an array of emotions all of which show how much this game truly matters to those that love it. There are levels to it which is what makes Olga Carmona’s game-winning goal in the final for Spain so powerful. While the moment is certainly a massive moment for La Roja, who had fought doubters and an inept football federation to gain basic human needs for decades, it was also a poignant moment for Carmona, whose father had unbeknownst to her passed away due to prostate cancer during the match. Winning a World Cup is an emotional moment but for Spain and Carmona it was even more special.
Top Left: Aussie players celebrate after winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Quarter Final soccer match between Australia and France
Top Right:
Cortnee Vine of Australia kicks a successful penalty goal to defeat France
Below:
Spain’s captain Ivana Andres (C) lifts the trophy up together with her teammates during celebration with supporters their victory on the FIFA Women’s World Cup
FIFA U-17 and U-20
Women’s World
SOCCER360 MAGAZINE 81