Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Fans in London watch Spain v England - BOXPARK Wembley, London, Britain - August 20, 2023 England fans react after England lose the world cup final Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - England soccer fans went home in bitter disappointment on Sunday after losing the Women's World Cup final 1-0 to Spain, but in defeat many of them also found inspiration and hope for future generations in the sport.
"They might have not won, and it's so sad, but they've done so much for women's football, and that's what matters," said Jennifer Maidment, a 25-year-old student who watched the game in London.
The scale of the national excitement reflected the growing public profile of women's soccer in England, where the team's run to the final built on their victory at the European Championship last year.
"We never had any role models as girls when we were younger, so to have role models now is amazing.
For older generations, the progress since the first England women's international match in 1972 was clear.
Persons:
Andrew Couldridge, Jennifer Maidment, Kaitlin Howard, Pat Davies, Ben Makori, Hannah Ellison, William James Our
Organizations:
Soccer Football, FIFA, England, Wembley, of England, European, Woking Football Club, Thomson
Locations:
New Zealand, London, Spain, Britain, England, Sydney