England's wait to win a first Women's World Cup title goes on following defeat by Spain in the final on a heartbreaking evening in Sydney.
The Lionesses, looking to become the first England senior side since the men's team in 1966 to win the World Cup, were outplayed by a Spanish side full of flair and creativity.
England's players fell to their knees in tears at the final whistle as Spain celebrated inside their area after dealing with a final corner kick in the 14th minute of nerve-wracking stoppage time.
Spain captain Olga Carmona slotted the winner past goalkeeper Mary Earps in the first half, after England's Lucy Bronze lost possession in midfield.
England manager Sarina Wiegman, who has now lost two successive World Cup finals, introduced Lauren James and Chloe Kelly at half-time but Spain maintained control despite the Lionesses' best efforts.
Earps made several stunning saves, including one from the penalty spot to deny Jenni Hermoso after Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh had been penalised for handball following a lengthy video assistant referee review.
But it was one step too far for the European champions, who lost just their second match in two years under Wiegman.
Spain are crowned champions for the first time despite going into the tournament under a cloud of controversy following a dispute between players and the Spanish football federation.
Reaction to the Women's World Cup finalMissed opportunity as Spain capitalise
Both teams came into the final full of confidence, having improved on their performances throughout the tournament.
England, who played in front of a sold-out Wembley crowd last summer to win the Euros final, had hoped to rely on experience and they started brightly, testing Spain's defence with balls over the top and in behind.
Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp was direct and aggressive, and had England's best chance but her curling effort from 15 yards hit the crossbar.
But Spain, packed with Barcelona stars who won their second Women's Champions League title this season, imposed their quality and worked out how to deal with England's high press.
They grew into the game, exposing the spaces left by England's attacking full-backs and took their chance when Bronze cut inside from the right and lost the ball in the centre circle.
Spain intelligently switched play to their left and Carmona ran on to a simple pass and stroked the ball low past a diving Earps.
Spain had several chances to extend their lead - Earps blocked shots from Ona Batlle, Mariona Caldentey and Alba Redondo in each half - while Salma Paralluelo's first-time strike brushed the post on the stroke of half time.
It was a deserved victory for Spain but it will feel like a missed opportunity for the Lionesses, who have found a way to win so often under Wiegman but could not find the answers in the biggest game in their history.
More to follow.
How to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfection
Spain
Squad number23Player nameCata Coll
Squad number2Player nameBatlle
Squad number4Player nameParedes
Squad number14Player nameCodina
Squad number19Player nameCarmona
Squad number6Player nameBonmatí
Squad number3Player nameAbelleira
Squad number10Player nameHermoso
Squad number17Player nameRedondo
Squad number18Player nameParalluelo
Squad number8Player nameMariona Caldentey
Squad number5Player nameAndrés
Squad number11Player namePutellas
Squad number12Player nameHernández
England
Squad number1Player nameEarps
Squad number16Player nameCarter
Squad number6Player nameBright
Squad number5Player nameGreenwood
Squad number2Player nameBronze
Squad number8Player nameStanway
Squad number4Player nameWalsh
Squad number9Player nameDaly
Squad number10Player nameToone
Squad number23Player nameRusso
Squad number11Player nameHemp
Squad number7Player nameJames
Squad number18Player nameKelly
Squad number19Player nameEngland
Line-ups
Spain
Formation 4-3-3
23Coll Lluch2Batlle4Paredes14CodinaSubstituted forAndrésat 73'minutes19Carmona6Bonmatí3Abelleira10Hermoso17RedondoSubstituted forHernándezat 60'minutes18ParallueloBooked at 78mins8Caldentey OliverSubstituted forPutellasat 90'minutesSubstitutes
1Rodríguez Rivero5Andrés7Guerrero9González11Putellas12Hernández13Salón15Navarro16Pérez20Gálvez21Zornoza22del CastilloEngland
Formation 3-4-1-2
1Earps16Carter6Bright5Greenwood2Bronze8Stanway4Walsh9DalySubstituted forKellyat 45'minutes10TooneSubstituted forEnglandat 87'minutes23RussoSubstituted forJamesat 45'minutes11HempBooked at 55minsSubstitutes
3Charles7James12Nobbs13Hampton14Wubben-Moy15Morgan17Coombs18Kelly19England20Zelem21Roebuck22RobinsonReferee:Tori Penso
Attendance:75,784
Live Text
Match ends, Spain 1, England 0.
Second Half ends, Spain 1, England 0.
Corner, England. Conceded by Ona Batlle.
Attempt blocked. Millie Bright (England) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
Alexia Putellas (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Georgia Stanway (England).
Foul by Salma Paralluelo (Spain).
Jess Carter (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Jenni Hermoso (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Chloe Kelly (England).
Corner, Spain. Conceded by Jess Carter.
Corner, Spain. Conceded by Lucy Bronze.
Attempt blocked. Salma Paralluelo (Spain) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Teresa Abelleira.
Attempt blocked. Aitana Bonmatí (Spain) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Teresa Abelleira.
Alexia Putellas (Spain) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Georgia Stanway (England).
Hand ball by Lucy Bronze (England).
Foul by Irene Paredes (Spain).
Lucy Bronze (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Spain. Conceded by Mary Earps.