20 August 2023 , 10:30
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England are underdogs going into Sunday's hotly anticipated Women's World Cup Final - at least according to the bookies.
Opponents Spain have been billed as the favourites to edge Sarina Wiegman's side in Sydney. The Lionesses roared into the final with an emphatic 3-1 victory over co-hosts Australia on Wednesday, with goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo enough to fend off the spirited Matildas.
In more dramatic fashion, Spain beat Sweden 2-1 in a semi-final which was goalless until the 81st minute. The teams last met at last summer's Euros, held in England, and the Lionesses managed to beat La Roja 2-1 after extra-time through Georgia Stanway's winner.
Despite Wiegman and co's previous success, however, England remain at 9/5 odds with Bet365. That's marginally wider odds than the 7/4 which Spain boast.
England will look to the goals of top-scoring striker Russo, who put the seal on Wednesday's win. She said ahead of Sunday's final: "Obviously this is the biggest game, the one you dream about and means the most.
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"I think it will hit when we're in the tunnel and ready to walk out. It's an incredible occasion, it's been an unbelievable tournament and this is it. This is the moment we want to be in. We can’t wait.
"Right now all I want to do is go out, put on a performance to be proud of and obviously to win. We started this tournament wanting to win seven games and this is the message. This is the last one to go and we're really locked in."
Have your say! Who do you think will win Sunday's final? Give us your score prediction in the comments section.
England's Lionesses will have to defy the odds (Gao Meng/VCG via Getty Images)Wiegman will be proud of her team regardless of the result against Spain, adding after the win against Australia: "I can hardly describe how proud I am of the team. How this team has adapted all the time, before the tournament, during the tournament and in this game.
"How we've come through and found a way to win is incredible. So many things have changed. Of course, the expectations in England have been high all the time but after winning the Euros, it went up. I also think the lives of the players have changed a lot. They've had to adapt to that which has some good things but also some challenges."
England vs Spain odds*
Spain - 7/4
England - 9/5
*Odds may have updated since the time of writing.