Soccer-Ambitious World Cup a wonder goal for women's game

Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Spain v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 20, 2023 Spain players celebrate with the trophy after winning the World Cup REUTERS/Carl Recine

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Scheduled in a far-flung time-zone and carrying eight extra teams, the ninth Women's World Cup kicked off in Australia and New Zealand a month ago with some doubts it could deliver on lofty ambitions.

Those concerns eased well before Sunday's final where Spain were crowned first-time champions by beating England 1-0 at a packed Stadium Australia in Sydney.