It's finally here!
After four weeks of football, the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final gets underway on Sunday as Spain and England will battle for the coveted prize.
Given that both sides have played some great football this summer, this game is expected to be an exciting one from start to finish.
Here are five interesting stats and facts ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final.
1. Germany will no longer be the sole holder of this impressive feat
What does Germany have anything to do with the upcoming match between England and Spain? Well, to date, Germany are the only nation to have won both a men's and women's World Cup.
On Sunday, that will change, as both England and Spain have won a men's World Cup, with England's victory taking place in 1966 while Spain were crowned champions in 2010.
So, regardless of who wins, that side will help their country join a very small group - as just one of two teams to have won both the men's and women's World Cups.
2. Four finals in four tournaments
That's how many finals England boss Sarina Wiegman has reached in just the past six years. After taking over the Netherlands team, Wiegman led the Oranje to victory at the 2017 UEFA Women's EURO competition, which was their third appearance in the competition. Two years later, Wiegman was on the tactician's bench as the Netherlands reached the finals of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, an impressive feat considering that it was only their second ever participation in that tournament.
Then, last summer, the talented manager recorded another success, this time with England. The Lionesses clinched victory in the UEFA Women's EURO contest to make it the first major title for any England side since the men's side won it in 1966 and the first overall for the women's team.
As such, having won two trophies from her last three finals appearances, all eyes will be on Sarina Wiegman and England she will make it three wins on four on Sunday.
3. England could emulate Spain...but not in the way you might be thinking
Interestingly, should England win, they will become the first UEFA side since Spain to win the World Cup and EURO titles in consecutive iterations. Spain's men's team enjoyed an extraordinary period of success from 2008 to 2012, when they won two EURO titles (2008, 2012) as well as the World Cup (in 2010).
England, as noted before, won the Women's EURO in 2022, and now, a year later, could win the FIFA Women's World Cup this weekend.
4. Spain have avoided penalties...so far
It's worth to note that Spain are the only side of the final four teams remaining in this competition to have never had to settle a match on penalties. England had to see off Nigeria on spot-kicks in the round of 16, while Sweden and Australia, who will face off in the third-placed game on Saturday, both needed penalties to dispatch the USWNT (in the round of 16) and France (in the quarter-finals).
Spain were close to having to go to penalties against the Netherlands, but a goal from teenage striker Salma Paralluelo in extra time was enough to help Jorge Vilda's team to a 2-1 win and fire them into the semi-finals.
5. This has not happened since 2003...
For the first time in 20 teams, two teams from the same federation will be featuring in the FIFA Women's World cup final. Back in 2003, Germany and Sweden, who are part of UEFA, featured in the final with Germany winning it. 20 years later, it's once again, two UEFA sides, this time, England and Spain, who will be locking horns in the showpiece event.
To date, CONCACAF have won the most World Cup titles, with all four coming from the USWNT. At the moment, UEFA have won three World Cup titles, with Norway winning it in 1995 while Germany's two wins happened in 2003 and 2007.
So, whoever wins this game - whether it be England or Spain - will help UEFA pull level with CONCACAF on four titles won in this competition, which has been pretty much dominated by teams from those two confederations since 1991. Japan are still the only side to break that dominance by becoming the only Asian team to win a World Cup in 2011.
Looking forward to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final? Here's all the info you need to follow Spain vs. England, including team news, broadcast listings, preview, and more.
