After its World Cup-winning performance, Spain took home some individual hardware as well.
Spain beat England 1-0 in Sunday’s final, after which star midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was awarded the Golden Ball as the World Cup’s top player.
Bonmatí scored three goals in the World Cup, including a brace in the last 16 against Switzerland, but the Barcelona midfielder did much more than just find the net at the tournament.
The 25-year-old was the creative engine for Spain, controlling the tempo of matches as the chief architect of La Roja’s possession-based style. Bonmatí has become the odds-on favorite to succeed Alexia Putellas, her teammate for club and country, as this year’s Ballon d’Or winner.
2023 Women’s World Cup awards
Bonmatí wasn’t the only Spain player to win an individual prize, with Salma Paralluelo winning the Best Young Player Award. The 19-year-old scored off the bench in the quarterfinal and semifinal in a breakout performance.
England’s Mary Earps won the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper. Among several tournament highlights, Earps saved a penalty from Spain’s Jeni Hermoso in the final to keep the Lionesses in the match.
Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa won the Golden Boot with five goals in the World Cup, despite her side only reaching the quarterfinal. Miyazawa scored a brace against Zambia and Spain in the group stage, before adding another goal in a last-16 win over Norway.
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