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England fall short in historic World Cup final but Lionesses have inspired a generation
Sarina Wiegman's England are one of the country's greatest ever sides
England's World Cup final defeat viewed from the fan parks
It's been quite the journey for Sarina Wiegman and England Down Under. Haiti, Denmark, China, Nigeria, Colombia and the hosts Australia beaten. Jorge Vilda's free-flowing Spain proved a task too great, but the Lionesses have spent another summer making the nation proud.
A year after European Championship glory, England made history for more reason than one by reaching the Women's World Cup final at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
It was the nation's first senior World Cup final since Sir Alf Ramsey's Three Lions of 1966 roared at Wembley Stadium.
But Spain were also contesting a women's final for the first time, and they just had too much quality for England to make that final step.
Regardless, don't get it twisted. Wiegman's Lionesses have etched their name into the conversation involving the country's greatest-ever football sides.
Euros glory in 2022 - beating Germany in the final at Wembley no less - lifting the inaugural Women's Finalissima by toppling Brazil and coming ever so close to being crowned champions of the world.
Not many international teams, let alone England, can boast that they came 90 minutes away from winning three major trophies in the space of a year.
But Wiegman has lifted a talented generation of players from the uninspiring Phil Neville era to English football icons.
The fact England's defeat to Spain is their first under Wiegman's regime, having gone 29 competitive games without a loss, is a testament to her success.
In the 53-year-old Dutch coach, England have a warm, intelligent, smart individual at the helm.
And while last summer's Euros success was witnessed and enjoyed on home soil, the support was just as strong as the nation watched England's World Cup exploits from more than 10,000 miles away.
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Under Wiegman, England have helped millions dream and inspired a generation of mothers and daughters to indulge in the beautiful game.
And it may not be the end. Speculation swirls over Wiegman's future as England boss amid interest from elsewhere, but there will be hope she wants to continue what has been a special journey.
History has been carved on and off the pitch this summer - as it was the last. England's Lionesses can stand proud because the entire nation is proud of them.
Football may not be coming home this summer, but England's pool of talent and the foundations being laid under Wiegman and Gareth Southgate offers a sense that it will. Eventually.
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