Toone maintained her position in the starting lineup, having featured in each of England’s last four matches leading up to the final. The Lionesses opened strongly, but it was Spain who managed to break the tension and take the lead in the 25th minute.
Ona Batlle, Toone’s former teammate at Manchester United and now a right-back for Spain, delivered a cross for Arsenal midfielder and WSL Player of the Season Mariona Caldentey, who headed the ball into the net, giving the world champions an advantage going into halftime.
While one goal would ultimately secure Spain’s victory in the 2023 World Cup final against England, a different former Red played a crucial role in changing the outcome this time. Alessia Russo, now with Arsenal, equalized with a header shortly after the break, making the score 1-1.
As the match remained tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes and an exhausting extra 30 minutes, the winner would be decided by penalties. Spain took the initial lead, but following two saves by Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and a missed kick, England stayed in the match. Successful penalties from Niamh Charles of Chelsea and Alex Greenwood of Manchester City set the stage for Arsenal’s Chloe Kelly to clinch the victory.
