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    Who is footballer Alba Redondo?

    ALBA REDONDO has enjoyed huge success at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and will now represent her country in the final.The Spanish football player will take on England as part of Jorge Vilda’s squad at the FIFA tournament.
    Alba Redondo is part of Spain’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup squadCredit: Alex Grimm – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
    Who is Alba Redondo?
    Alba Redondo is a Spanish professional footballer.
    She was born on August 27, 1996 in Albacete, Spain.
    According to La Liga’s official website, the sports star is 169cm tall.
    Redondo is in a relationship with girlfriend Cristina Monleón.
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    Monleón was seen kissing her partner in the stand at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
    The pair also regularly share pictures of themselves together on social media.
    Redondo’s football career began in the youth system of her hometown club Fundación Albacete.

    Spain vs England LIVE – Latest updates from Women’s World Cup final
    She then worked her way up to play for the senior team.
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    In June 2019, after scoring 53 goals for Albacete, Redondo signed for Valencian club Levante.
    In 2023 it was reported that the club had renewed the striker’s contract until June 2024.
    Redondo has been linked to a number of other clubs, such as Real Madrid, but in an August 2023 interview she seemed to put the transfer rumours to rest.
    Speaking to The Athletic, Redondo said she feels “at home” at Levante, adding: “It’s been a magnificent season for me in every way”.
    The football star has a tattoo on her arm with the phrase: “Arriba los corazones,” which translates to “up with hearts”.
    The inking is a tribute to her late uncle, who died in 2003 while serving in the Spanish army. 
    Redondo can be seen kissing the tattoo every time she scores a goal.
    When did Alba Redondo join the Spanish national team?
    Redondo made her debut for Spain’s senior national team in November 2018.
    She joined the squad after being spotted by talent scouts.
    Redondo was chosen by Spain manager Vilda to be a part of his FIFA Women’s World Cup squad.
    The forward scored three goals in four matches at the competition, which was held in Australia and New Zealand.
    She scored twice against Zambia and once against Switzerland.
    What is Alba Redondo’s salary?
    Redondo’s salary has not been disclosed publicly but she is thought to be worth around £300,000.
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    As well as her football salary, Redondo also earns money from her sponsorship deals.
    The star is an ambassador for Puma and can often be seen wearing the Puma Future Ultimate boots. More

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    Who is Barcelona and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas?

    ALEXIA PUTELLAS is widely regarded as one of the best female footballers in the world.The sports star will represent Spain at the final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup when her team take on Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses.
    Alexia Putellas of Spain will represent her country at the final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World CupCredit: Maja Hitij – FIFA
    Who is Alexia Putellas?
    Alexia Putella is a Spanish and Catalan professional football player.
    She was born on February 4, 1994 in Mollet del Vallès, Barcelona.
    Putellas played basketball as a child but became interested in football when she started school and joined a club when she was seven years old.
    She played for Sabadell from 2001 until 2005, moving to Barcelona girls’ youth team for a year afterwards.
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    From 2006 until 2011 she was a part of the Espanyol girls’ team before moving to Valencian club Levante.
    In 2012 she joined Barcelona’s senior team and has remained with the squad ever since.
    Sadly, Putella’s father Jaume Putellas Rota passed away shortly before she joined Barcelona.
    With the La Liga side Putellas has won seven league titles, seven Copas de la Reina, and two UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies.
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    In 2021 the star won the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Award, the Ballon d’Or Féminin, and The Best FIFA Women’s Player, becoming the first player to win all three in the same year.
    She achieved this feat once again in 2022.
    Nike-sponsored Putellas has gained the nickname “La Reina”, meaning the Queen, from fans.
    She has been awarded the Creu de Sant Jordi, one of the highest civilian orders in Catalonia, making her one of only three footballers to receive the honour.
    Lionel Messi and Johan Cruyff are the other players to achieve this.
    When did Alexia Putellas join the Spanish national team?
    Putellas has played for the Spanish national team since she was a teen.
    She began playing for Spain’s youth national team at 15 and earned her first cap for the senior team in 2003, when she was 19 years old.
    Putellas has represented her country at the 2013 European Championship finals, the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2017 UEFA Women’s Euros and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
    In 2022 she became the first player to reach 100 caps with Spain’s national women’s team.
    Putellas was one of fifteen Spanish players who wrote letters to Spain’s football federation in September 2022, threatening to quit if manager Jorge Vilda was not fired.
    Despite the revolt against Vilda, she was called up by the coach for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
    What is Alexia Putellas’ salary?
    Putellas reportedly earns around £300,000 annually.
    She has an estimated net worth of almost £1.2million.
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    Putellas has amassed this fortune through her career as a player and as her sponsorship and brand deals.
    As well as her deal with Nike, the player has been a brand ambassador for big names like Oakley, Spotify and Mango. More

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    Prince William & Charlotte send good luck message to England’s Lionesses – and apologise for missing historic final

    PRINCE William and adorable Princess Charlotte have wished England’s Lionesses good luck in a heartfelt video. The royal pair sent their best wishes to the woman’s team ahead of the historic World Cup final tomorrow.
    The Prince of Wales wished the Lionesses good luck and apologised they couldn’t be thereCredit: Instagram
    In a clip posted on Instagram, the Prince of Wales said: “Lionesses we want to send you a huge good luck for tomorrow.
    “We’re sorry we can’t be there in person but we’re so proud of everything you’ve achieved and the millions you’ve inspired here and around the world.
    “So go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves.”
    “Good luck Lionesses,” added Princess Charlotte, holding a football in her show of support for the inspiring team.

    This comes as England’s World Cup final on Sunday is odds-on to smash UK viewing figures and become this year’s most-watched sporting event.
    The Lionesses roared into the final after beating hosts Australia 3-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final.
    Their amazing win came thanks to goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.
    Pubs up and down the country were packed as supporters roared the Lionesses to victory.
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    Tomorrow’s final against Spain will represent the first time an England side has made a World Cup final since 1966.
    And, the Lionesses will be hoping it’s the first time an England side has won a World Cup trophy since then too.
    England manager Sarina Wiegman led the team to European Championship last year and could now go down in history tomorrow.
    Wiegman told BBC Sport: “We achieved the final!
    “It’s unbelievable, it feels like we won [the tournament] which we didn’t, we just won this game – in an incredible stadium, an away game, the way we played – it was a hard game, but we found a way to win again.
    “Australia have had an incredible tournament, they grew into the tournament.
    “They had some setbacks, they had to win their last group-stage game and then they got better and better.
    “I just said to [assistant manager] Arjan, having the chance as a coach or a player to make it to two finals is really special.
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    “I never take anything for granted, but it’s like I’m living in a fairytale or something.”

    Princess Charlotte held a football in her show of support for the teamCredit: Instagram More

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    Is the Women’s World Cup trophy made of gold and how much is it worth?

    THE 2023 Women’s World Cup is set to culminate in a face-off between Spain and England.The football squads will compete at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 20, with the hopes of bringing home the coveted trophy for their team – and their country.
    Spain and England will compete for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup trophyCredit: Isabel Infantes/Shutterstock
    What is the Women’s World Cup trophy made of?
    According to FIFA, the Women’s World Cup trophy is made of sterling silver but is covered in 23 karat white and yellow gold.
    The trophy measures 47 centimetres and weighs 4.6 kilograms.
    The award’s design features a spiral with a football at the top.
    There is also a cone-shaped platform at the bottom of the trophy, where the names of past winners of the tournament are displayed.
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    FIFA states that the composition of the trophy symbolises “the athleticism, dynamism and elegance of women’s football”.
    The trophy was designed by William Sawaya for the 1999 Women’s World Cup, held in the USA.
    It was handcrafted in Milan, Italy.
    The current trophy is the second iteration of the Women’s World Cup prize.
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    The first trophy was only awarded at the first two Women’s World Cups in 1991 and 1995.
    It had to be replaced after it was stolen in 1997 from the Ullevaal stadium in Oslo following Norway’s 1995 win.
    How much is the trophy worth?
    According to reports, in 2015 the Women’s World Cup trophy had an estimated value of around £23,000 in 2015.
    The Men’s World Cup trophy, meanwhile, was valued at £227,000 in 2022.
    That trophy is made up of 6.175 kilograms of 18 karat gold.
    Which teams have won the most Women’s World Cup trophies?
    The United States is the team that has won the most Women’s World Cup tournaments.
    They have lifted the trophy four times, in 1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019.
    The US squad has also had the most top four finishes at the tournament, having made it to the semi-finals eight times.
    They also have made five appearances in a Women’s World Cup final, making them the team with the most final appearances.
    Germany have won the Women’s World Cup the second-most times.
    They have two victories to their name, having been crowned champions in 2003 and 2007.
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    The Lionesses have never secured World Cup glory but have reached the semi-finals twice, in 2015 and 2019
    Their 2023 opponents, Spain, will also be winning for the first time if victorious at the World Cup final. More

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    Women’s World Cup final live stream and TV guide: How to watch England take on Spain for FREE

    ENGLAND will be involved in their first-ever Women’s World Cup final on Sunday as they take on Spain in Sydney.The Lionesses beat co-hosts Australia in their own backyard in a thrilling semi-final.
    Alessia Russo was on the scoresheet in England’s Women’s World Cup semi-final clash against AustraliaCredit: GETTY
    Goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo helped England to a historic 3-1 win.
    Serina Weigman’s side beat their final opponents Spain on their route to Euro 2022 glory last summer.
    SunSport has all the details so you don’t miss the Women’s World Cup final.
    How can I watch the Women’s World Cup final?
    The Women’s World Cup final will be broadcast LIVE on both ITV 1 and BBC One.
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    ITV 1 will begin their coverage at 9:25am BST on Sunday morning (August 20) and BBC One’s show will start at 9:45am BST.
    Laura Woods will be on presenting duties for ITV with analysis from Karen Carney and Eni Aluko.
    For BBC, Gabby Logan will be the presenter with Alex Scott amongst the team of pundits.
    How can I watch the Women’s World Cup final FREE?
    The Women’s World Cup final will be available to watch for FREE via the ITVX app/website and the BBC iPlayer app/website, providing you have a valid TV license.
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    Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action from Sydney by following SunSport’s live blog. More

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    I sold my home TWICE to pay for my daughter’s footy career… now she’s on verge of Women’s World Cup glory with England

    THE mother of England star Georgia Stanway has revealed she had to sell her home twice to help her daughter’s football career. Joanne Stanway felt the immense expense of taking Georgia to and from football matches and training whilst she was an academy player.
    Joanne Stanway had to downsize her house twice to help fund her daughter Georgia’s football careerCredit: Youtube – No1Fan Club
    Georgia Stanway is now 90 minutes away from being a World Cup winnerCredit: Alamy
    Joanne, who is a teacher, was given permission to leave work early in order to take Georgia to her training sessions for Blackburn Rovers in a three-hour round trip from their home in Barrow, Cumbria.
    She spoke about the financial strain and how it led to her having to downsize their home twice.
    Speaking to The Mirror, she said: “There wasn’t a lot of money in girls’ football. In my case, I got a grant of £250 a year from the local council which covered about ten journeys to training, and then I got about £500 from the county council.
    “But it was still hard and I had a good job. I found myself really stretched financially and I downsized twice for extra money.”
    READ MORE ON LIONESSES
    But the hard work paid off with Georgia now a huge star for the Lionesses and a starting midfielder for German giants Bayern Munich.
    The former Manchester City player always seemed confident that she would make it to the very top though despite what others may have told her.
    When an academy coach suggested she should start considering a different career as “only one” player from her academy group would make it to the professional game, Georgia told her mum: “Don’t worry mum, I’ll be the one.”
    And she certainly has become a roaring success with the 24-year-old on the brink of winning the Women’s World Cup.
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    Georgia has played a part in every game as England have stormed their way through to the World Cup final after beating Australia 3-1 in the semi-final.
    She got the Lionesses’ tournament off to a winning start, scoring the only goal in their opening clash with Haiti from the spot.
    Georgia has featured in every game for the Lionesses at the World CupCredit: Getty
    She has now made 56 appearances for the England national teamCredit: Getty More

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    England’s Women’s World Cup final set to smash UK TV viewing records as Lionesses prepare to make history vs Spain

    ENGLAND’s World Cup final on Sunday is odds-on to smash UK viewing figures and become this year’s most-watched sporting event.The Lionesses roared into the final after beating hosts Australia 3-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final thanks to goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.
    The Lionesses are ramping up their training ahead of tomorrow’s finalCredit: Getty
    And Lauren James is available to feature again after suspensionCredit: Reuters
    Wiegman will look to continue her perfect record at major tournament’s tomorrowCredit: Getty
    Lucy Bronze has put on another fine display throughout this month’s tournamentCredit: Reuters
    Tomorrow’s final against Spain will represent the first time an England side has made a World Cup final since 1966 – and the Lionesses will be hoping it will be the first time an England side has won a World Cup trophy since then too.
    With the nation gripped by World Cup fever, bookmakers William Hill are offering a special market with the event 1/10 to be the most watched sporting event of the year.
    That means the final is backed by Britain’s leading bookmaker to attract more viewers than the likes of this year’s men’s Champions League and FA Cup finals, as well as tennis’ Wimbledon final and cricket’s final day of the fifth Ashes Test.
    Despite tomorrow’s game representing the the first time the Lionesses have reached a World Cup final they will be full of confidence going into the match-up with Spain.
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    England beat La Roja during their route to Euro glory last year with a 2-1 win at the Amex in the quarter-finals.
    There’s also the fact that Sarina Wiegman has lost just one of her 37 games in charge of England – leading to men’s FA bosses looking across jealously and considering her for the men’s job should Gareth Southgate leave.

    Wiegman will have a fully-fit and available squad to choose from going into the final with Lauren James also back from her two-game suspension.
    James had been England’s star of the tournament going into their round of 16 clash with Nigeria but saw red after stamping on forward Michelle Alozie.
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    The England players applied sun cream to ward off the Aussie sun as the entered their final preparations for tomorrow’s finalCredit: Reuters
    Wiegman mixed up training as some of the players threw medicine balls to eachotherCredit: Getty
    And the Lionesses have coped well in her absence, earning hard-fought victories over Colombia and Australia.
    It’s likely that barring any late injury scares, Wiegman will name an identical team to the one that beat Australia 3-1 – meaning James is likely to feature from the bench.
    Going into tomorrow’s final, striker Alessia Russo said: “Obviously this is the biggest game, the one you dream about, the one that means the most.
    “I feel like 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 exactly where we want to be. We can’t wait.” More

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    ‘To think I will be playing in a World Cup final is a pinch-me moment’, says England ace Alessia Russo

    ALESSIA RUSSO used to dream of scoring in a World Cup final during lively kickabouts in her hometown in Kent. The future England star, 24. would run around in a garden with her mates in East Farleigh in Maidstone imagining herself in action at the tournament. 
    Alessia Russo is set to play in her first World Cup final when England take on Spain at the Stadium Australia in SydneyCredit: Reuters
    The England striker hopes to add her tally of three goals with the team hoping to make history with a first World Cup win on SundayCredit: Getty
    Russo hailed head coach Sarina Wiegman for setting high standards for her sideCredit: PA
    Tomorrow the striker will attempt to make her childhood dream come true when the Lionesses battle Spain for a chance to lift the trophy. 
    A match that Russo describes as “a pinch me moment” with England aiming to win the sport’s biggest prize for the first time. 
    The Lionesses striker, who has two older brothers Luca and Giorgio, said: “When I was a kid we used to play World Cup in the garden and we had to score to stay in.
    “I have such fond memories with the local kids and also my brothers and my youth teams.
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    “It looked like having fun and playing freely.
    “As a kid, growing up to think I would be playing in a World Cup final is a special feeling. A real pinch-me moment.”
    Russo’s last goal at this year’s tournament cemented England’s place in the final.
    The Lioness, who joined Arsenal as a free agent this summer, is in the running for the tournament’s Golden Boot along with pals Lauren Hemp and Lauren James. 
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    The trio have so far notched up three goals each.
    On whether she has a fancy celebration planned should she score in Sydney tomorrow, Russo added: “As far as celebrations go, you can see that mine aren’t planned or anything special 
    “But it’s just what happens in the moment. It’s normally a loud scream and hug whoever is near me.
    “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. 
    “You have the wise heads in Mary (Earps), Millie (Bright) and Lucy (Bronze) which is great because they’ve experienced a lot.
    “For players, obviously we’re all aware it’s a World Cup final and there’s that on the line.
    “But as soon as you cross the line it’s just a normal game. It’s what we love to do. 
    “It’s 11 v 11 and we have to win. As soon as we step out on the pitch, we know our job and what we need to do.
    “We’re aware it’s a World Cup final but we’ll just play our game.”
    Tomorrow’s match will see Lauren James available for selection following her two-game ban after her sending-off during England’s last-16 defeat of Nigeria. 
    And Russo, who began her senior playing career at Chelsea in 2015, believes the return of the Blues foward is a huge boost for the Euros champs. 
    The 28-capped Lioness said: “I’ve known Lauren since I was 12 at Chelsea. 
    “She’s a special, talented player. We want everyone fit and available is great. 
    “Tooney (Ella Toone) has stepped up as well so we have so many players who can come on and do a job. 
    “But to have a player as special as LJ back in the squad for the final is great. Everyone knows how impressive she’s been in this tournament.”
    Russo sees Lauren James as a “special talent” and this year’s final could the forward back in action for England following her two-match banCredit: Getty
    The Lionesses will be vying to triumph in their second major tournament final under Sarina Wiegman.
    And their boss will be guiding a team in a World Cup final for the second time in her managerial career. 
    England fans in Australia and at home will hope to see the Dutch coach steer her battle-hardened squad to back-to-back tournament wins. 
    For Russo, the Lioness chief has created a national set-up that is ultra competitive but also fun. 
    The England ace said: “Sarina is a winner. She sets the standards so high in training and she leads with real class. 
    “She’s honest and upfront and, as a player, I respect that. It’s nice to have honest conversations with the leader of your team.
    Russo and Lauren Hemp have been in fine form for the Lionesses bagging three goals each at the World CupCredit: Getty
    “It’s great for us because it’s so competitive and everyone is focused on one goal 
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    “But away from the pitch she lets us enjoy our time, relax and switch off which is important.
    She makes camp a really fun place to be.” More