Spain won the Women's World Cup with a 1-, and after the match, England coach Sarina Wiegman claimed that the Lionesses were defeated by the superior team.
Olga Carmona scored the solitary goal as Spain put the European champions at bay. Had England goalkeeper Mary Earps not saved Jennifer Hermoso's second-half penalty, Spain might have won by a larger margin.
"In general, I believe Spain performed slightly better than we did today. Congratulations to Spain!," said Wiegman, who also managed the Netherlands in the World Cup final four years ago. "They had a tremendous tournament.
"I believe that everyone has watched an amazing, extremely open game. Two football teams are interested in competing.
When captain Leah Williamson and Beth Mead were both ruled out due to cruciate knee ligament problems prior to the competition, Wiegman was forced to make adjustments.
After the attacker's red card in the last-16 match against Nigeria, Lauren James was then suspended for two games.
Although Wiegman congratulated her team for overcoming so many obstacles, she claimed that it did not lessen the hurt of failing to cross the finish line.
"Of course, it hurts a lot right now. You enter the final, intending to give your all to win, only to lose it, she said.
"I think we should be really proud of what we've accomplished, how we've demonstrated our teamwork and desire to play, and how we overcame so many obstacles. despite the fact that it doesn't now feel that way.
The Lionesses were heartbroken, according to England captain Millie Bright, after they overcame a sluggish start to the competition to make it to the final for the first time.
"That takes place in sports.
"We're devastated. We gave it our all, but tonight we just weren't there," the Chelsea defender remarked.
"The girls are amazing. At the beginning of the competition, we faced a lot of criticism, and some people lost faith in us, but we never let that happen.
"We had complete faith, but football can sometimes work in your favor and sometimes against you.
"We took part in a World Cup championship game. We'll enjoy this day and finishing second in a few weeks, but it's difficult to accept because we're winners and want to win.
When Lauren Hemp hit the bar, England came dangerously close to taking the lead.
Nevertheless, after Carmona's goal in the 29th minute, Spain was rarely threatened.
Bright continued, "In the first half, we weren't at our best. "In the second half, we undoubtedly recovered, displayed grit, spirit, and chances.
"We nailed the bar, but tonight we just lacked that extra edge.
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