WGHS Responds to FIFA World Cup

photo by Hannah Mckay/Reuters

On Sunday August 20th, 2023, the Spain’s Women’s National Team won the 2023 FIFA World Cup, beating out England 1-0 in Full Time.
by Drew Caraway

On Sunday August 20th, 2023, the Spain’s Women’s National Team won the 2023 FIFA World Cup, beating out England 1-0 in Full Time. Australia and New Zealand hosted the events. This is Spain’s first World Cup Title since being founded in 1991 and joins Germany as the only countries who have won both a Men’s and Women’s FIFA World Cup. The TV ratings estimated over 2 billion people tuned in to watch the World Cup (via FIFA). 

photo by Getty Images/Andy Cheung

Olga Carmona
Olga Carmona, born June 12th 2000, was named MVP of the World Cup. At 23 years old, Carmona’s story is truly an interesting one, which could be the reason behind her success. As a child, she learned soccer from watching her brothers train, but was unable to join the sport. After she turned 17, her parents allowed her to sign up for a training lesson. And everything took off from there. During the World Cup, she had learned that her dad was very ill. While her mother and relatives came to watch her play, her dad was stuck in the hospital. After winning the World Cup, she had been told her father had passed on August 18th, 2023, two days before the final (all info via Forbes).

Carmona won World Cup MVP for scoring the game winning goal to help Spain win 1-0. She completed 76% of her passes with 93 touches and three tackles.

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WGHS Opinions
People all around the world watched the World Cup, and tons from Walnut Grove did too. Sophomore Emily Baggett, who was on the Walnut Grove Varsity Girls Soccer team, watched it and had varying opinions. When asked about the whole tournament, she said, “I think it was disappointing because the U.S. were taken out so early. They [US] didn’t have a great year, so I’m fine with the finalists and champions.” When asked about the US’ performance, she stated, “They could’ve given more effort, more passing, and more moving off the ball. Their finishing wasn’t great, so they could’ve also worked on that, along with actually passing to their teammates and not the other team.” She talked about how the team [US] can improve for 2027.  She shared, “I think that they could do better, but they really need to work and they might have to make adjustments to the team, because some people weren’t doing very well. It can’t be a political thing. They need to choose who’s the best to play.” 

Fellow sophomore and WGHS Soccer player, Jacob Rowe, was asked about the final as well. He explained, “I feel it was disappointing for England that they lost in the final, but I’m happy for the Spanish players, especially the one who lost her father [Olga Carmona] while the final was being played.” Jacob didn’t watch all of the World Cup, but he did tune into the final. 
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The Women’s World Cup was definitely exciting, especially for Spain. The team earned it after years and years of heartbreak. Now the country of Spain can rejoice their World Cup victory, and look forward to Carmona’s (hopeful) 2027 return.