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For the first time in women’s footballing history England are through to the World Cup final.

After beating co-hosts Australia 3-1 on Wednesday, they will play Spain in the final this weekend.

La Roja were the first team to secure their place in the last two – but how much of a threat are they to the Lionesses?

Here Sky News looks at everything you need to know.

Route to the final

Spain were the clear favourites to win their group – having been drawn with Costa Rica, Zambia and Japan.

They began their Group C campaign with solid 3-0 and 5-0 wins against Costa Rica and Zambia respectively.

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But their straight run of wins came crashing down in their final fixture, which they lost 4-0 to Japan.

Spain's Olga Carmona (right) during Spain's Group C match against Japan
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Spain’s Olga Carmona (right) during Spain’s Group C match against Japan

It saw them fall to second place – but still allowed them to qualify and redeem themselves in the second round. That game against Switzerland was much more promising with goals from Aitana Bonmati, Jenni Hermoso and Alba Redondo and a 5-1 victory.

Next came a 2-1 win against the Netherlands, which had to go to extra time after they equalised with just minutes to go. Spain went through when left-back Olga Carmona stepped up with a shot off the bar to regain the lead.

La Roja’s semi-final against Sweden followed a similar pattern – but left fans on the edge of their seats until the final 15 minutes when all three goals came in quick succession.

Rising star Salma Paralluelo was the first to hit the back of the net – before an equaliser from Sweden’s Blomqvist. Again Carmona saved the day to put Spain ahead 2-1, scoring from a corner.

Spain celebrate their place in the final after beating Sweden
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Spain celebrate their place in the final after beating Sweden

Pre-World Cup mutiny

Spain’s biggest weakness predates the tournament altogether – but could still help England to their first World Cup win.

In late 2022 15 Spanish players declared themselves unavailable for selection over claims coach Jorge Vilda and his backroom team had become unconcerned with their emotional and physical wellbeing.

Spain coach Jorge Vilda during their semi-final match against Sweden
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Spain coach Jorge Vilda during their semi-final match against Sweden

The Spanish federation (RFEF) decided to back Vilda, who took over in 2015 after his predecessor Ignacio Quereda failed to get Spain through the group stages of the World Cup in Canada.

Eventually three players – Aitana Bonmati, Ona Batlle and Mariona Caldentey – returned and were picked for Vilda’s World Cup squad.

But when Spain suffered their unexpected and humiliating defeat against Japan in the group stage, fans were left wondering whether the hangover from the mass walk-out was to blame.

Ones to watch

In normal circumstances, Spain’s star player Alexia Putellas would usually pose the biggest threat.

The 29-year-old Barcelona captain has won back-to-back Ballon d’Ors and no less than seven league titles, seven Copas de la Reinas, and two UEFA Champions League trophies for her club.

Alexia Putellas
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Alexia Putellas

But after she tore a ligament ahead of last year’s Euros, questions remain on how strong she’ll prove to be in the final.

She’s only been able to start two of Spain’s World Cup games so far.

Instead the team have been relying on her Barcelona teammate Bonmati – who has netted three of Spain’s 17 goals.

Nineteen-year-old Salma Paralluelo is another key player – having scored in two games this tournament.

Salma Paralluelo
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Salma Paralluelo

Vilda has only played her as a second-half substitute so far, but if Putellas isn’t feeling strong enough on the day – he might switch her to the starting line.

Spain’s goalkeeper Cata Coll is relatively inexperienced but is well supported by defenders Carmona and Battle.

Record so far

This is only the third time Spain have qualified for the World Cup.

But since they first made an appearance in 2015 they’ve made quick progress.

Most of their success has still been at the Euros, however, having reached the quarter finals last year. By contrast until this year they’d only ever won a single World Cup match.

The national team is currently ranked sixth in the world, behind rivals England in fourth.

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At club level, their main domestic league – Liga F – is now fully professional and with World Cup victories last year for the under-17 and under-20 squads, investment and belief in the women’s game there is strong.

Last time they faced England – in the 2022 Euro quarter finals – they lost 2-1.

They’ve met the Lionesses 16 times since they first came face-to-face in 1993 – and have only won three games, compared to England’s seven. They’ve drawn on six occasions.

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Gaza’s orphans have lost everything – even the dream of growing up

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Gaza's orphans have lost everything - even the dream of growing up

The number of children killed in Gaza, according to the local health ministry, recently rose above 15,000.

Fatality figures in Gaza are disputed by Israel, but even allowing for miscalculation or exaggeration, it is a staggering loss of life.

Many children have been orphaned, losing not just both parents but also siblings, grandparents and other close relatives too.

Against this tragedy, the children of Gaza can’t dream of growing up.

War has robbed them of that.

‘I just want to forget’

The children of Gaza have spent a year and a half under Israeli bombardment.
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The children of Gaza have spent a year and a half under Israeli bombardment

“I’m here hanging out with my friends because I just want to forget the war,” Osama says, surrounded by other young boys, probably no older than 10.

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“I look at my destroyed home there and think about the memories I had there with my mum and dad, in their room. And now it’s gone.

“We used to have fun every day, sit in the kitchen, play together at home, and now it’s all gone.

“I want to forget everything. I want to have fun.”

Israel continues to bombard Gaza

On Thursday, Egypt sent a delegation to Qatar in an attempt to push for a renewed ceasefire.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with senior security officials on Thursday night to discuss developments.

For now, Israel is continuing to attack Gaza daily and is refusing to lift a blockade on aid entering the Strip.

The United Nations has reported that cases of malnutrition among children in northern Gaza have almost doubled as a result.

Hundreds of children have also been killed since the resumption of attacks almost two weeks ago.

She danced until the war came home

Five-year-old Jenin liked to dance, like so many five-year-old girls around the world liked to dance.

She danced in the tent where her family was sheltering from the war nearby and she danced until the day that the war came home.

Five-year-old Jenin liked to dance.
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Five-year-old Jenin liked to dance

It was early in the morning when the missile struck – the family was getting ready for Suhoor, the Ramadan breakfast.

Twenty-five of Jenin’s relatives were killed, including her father and all of her brothers and sisters.

Her mother was already dead, killed in a previous strike.

Jenin now lies in a hospital bed, still unaware she has lost her family.

Twenty-five of Jenin's relatives were killed, including her father and all of her brothers and sisters, in an Israeli strike that left her badly hospitalised.
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Jenin is now mostly unconscious and in desperate need of surgery she cannot get in Gaza

She is mostly unconscious – her skull fractured, she has bleeding on her brain and is in desperate need of surgery she cannot get in Gaza.

“She’s truly lost all sense of safety. She’s terrified by anyone who comes near her,” Jenin’s aunt told Sky News.

“Jenin has lost the ability to speak. The shock was so severe that she can no longer communicate verbally.”

She went on: “Instead, she points and gestures, but words elude her. Most of the time, she is angry and throws things around; her emotional state is drained.

“Sometimes she responds, but other times she doesn’t. When she looks at us, there’s a visible frustration in her eyes -frustration from not being able to see her mum.”

The aftermath of the strike that killed Jenin's family.
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The aftermath of the strike that killed 25 members of Jenin’s family

Another family that didn’t survive the night

In Gaza City, our team filmed another family that didn’t survive the night.

Rescuers searched for survivors but pulled out the bodies of four people.

Twelve-year-old Sameer was the only one to escape the strike. He sobbed in silent prayer next to the wrapped corpses of his parents and siblings. Another orphan in Gaza.

Sameer was the only one to escape the strike that killed his entire family.
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Sameer was the only one to escape the strike that killed his entire family

Sameer at his family's funeral.
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Sameer at his family’s funeral

“One of my favourite memories with my family was a day at the beach,” he told us.

“We swam and played and had such a good time. I remember my brother walking back and spilling juice on himself. We laughed and told him off!”

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His family was buried together, side-by-side in a shallow grave. Sameer, the one who lived, watched on, silent and lost.

“I wasn’t scared before, because I had my family around me. Right now, I am scared to lose more people. My mum and dad and everyone were martyred. I’m worried about losing more people. So now whenever I hear the planes above, I think they’re going to bomb me in my home.”

Sameer returned to the ruins of his home and found his tattered school books.
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Sameer returned to the ruins of his home and found his school books

There is no word for someone who has lost so much.

But in Gaza, there are so many children who have lost everything.

Their childhood, their families, their future.

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‘If VW disappears, people won’t stay in the town anymore’ – fears over Trump’s car tariffs

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'If VW disappears, people won't stay in the town anymore' - fears over Trump's car tariffs

At one factory in East Germany, they’re pumping out a car part every second, cutting and pressing millions of pieces destined for the country’s mega motor industry.

The HENNgineered plant sits on the edge of Zwickau, a city where the car is king. And when it comes to vehicles, America is Germany’s most important trading partner.

In 2024, automotive exports to the US reached a total value of €36.8bn (£30.7bn), according to the German Automobile Association.

So, Donald Trump’s decision to introduce 25% tariffs on all passenger cars and light commercial vehicles imported into the US is a big problem for manufacturers and suppliers alike.

SN screengrab from Robbins VT about Trump tariffs. GVs from german car parts manufacturer HENNgineered in Zwickau, and the August Horst Car Museum. FTV PKG GERMAN AUTO TARIFFS ROBBINS ZWICKAU 27032025
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Trump’s tariffs could prove a big problem for car manufacturers and suppliers like HENNgineered in Zwickau

SN screengrab from Robbins VT about Trump tariffs. GVs from german car parts manufacturer HENNgineered in Zwickau, and the August Horst Car Museum. FTV PKG GERMAN AUTO TARIFFS ROBBINS ZWICKAU 27032025
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This factory makes a car part every second, cutting and pressing millions of pieces

SN screengrab from Robbins VT with GVs from german car parts manufacturer HENNgineered in Zwickau, and the August Horst Car Museum. FTV PKG GERMAN AUTO TARIFFS ROBBINS ZWICKAU 27032025
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There are fears about future jobs after Donald Trump announced latest tariffs on car imports

“Such tariffs would be very hard. It could make companies decide to move to the US to produce there, which might also mean jobs are lost here in Germany,” explains site manager Matthias Wissel.

Volkswagen is now the main local employer, providing around 10,000 jobs.

Read more: Trump’s car tariffs condemned

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But car building is in people’s blood, with the first vehicle made here around 120 years ago.

The city museum proudly displays cars through the ages.

One room hosts shiny silver racing cars, another brightly coloured Trabants.

SN screengrab from Robbins VT about Trump tariffs. GVs from german car parts manufacturer HENNgineered in Zwickau, and the August Horch Car Museum. FTV PKG GERMAN AUTO TARIFFS ROBBINS ZWICKAU 27032025
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The August Horch Museum in Zwickau showcases the city’s long history of car making

SN screengrab from Robbins VT about Trump tariffs. GVs from german car parts manufacturer HENNgineered in Zwickau, and the August Horch Museum. FTV PKG GERMAN AUTO TARIFFS ROBBINS ZWICKAU 27032025
SN screengrab from Robbins VT about Trump tariffs. GVs from german car parts manufacturer HENNgineered in Zwickau, and the August Horch Museum. FTV PKG GERMAN AUTO TARIFFS ROBBINS ZWICKAU 27032025

The city developed cars from the German empire right through to the current modern republic, explains Thomas Stebich, head of August Horch Museum.

While the immaculate car displays celebrate the city’s pioneering past, tariffs are making many feel uncertain about the future.

“If nobody in the US buys a German car or less people buy German cars, it will have an impact, of course, because we need to build high numbers of cars here [for jobs],” Stebich says.

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If you want to understand how key the auto industry is to German identity, think mining to the UK in its heyday.

Around 700,000 people are employed in the industry, which generates more than 540 billion euros in sales a year.

But tariffs are not the first storm German car manufacturers have had to weather.

High energy and labour costs, competition from China and weaker domestic demand due to the ailing economy mean the German car industry has been cutting jobs.

Audi recently announced it will cut 7,500 administration jobs by 2029.

By 2030, VW will lose 35,000 roles.

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They’re not the only ones, but Trump’s tariffs news comes as a fresh blow to workers.

A representative on the VW works council in Zwickau cancelled our interview due to crisis talks.

All the workers we met seemed pessimistic and deeply worried for the plant and the city’s future.

Their concern is shared by Aliriza Oernek, who owns four restaurants in Zwickau.

He says in recent years they’ve seen many of their young people leave the area to seek jobs elsewhere. He fears fresh pain from tariffs will hurt the whole community.

“Volkswagen is the biggest employer in Zwickau, the main source of money for people who live here. If they were to disappear, then people won’t stay in the town anymore,” he says.

Aliriza Oernek, who owns four restaurants in Zwickau.
SN screengrab from Robbins VT about Trump's tariffs in Germany. FTV PKG GERMAN AUTO TARIFFS ROBBINS ZWICKAU 27032025
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Aliriza Oernek, owns four restaurants in Zwickau, and worries that tariffs will hurt businesses like his

Like its counterparts, Volkswagen is closely watching developments around tariffs and assessing how they could impact the supply chain and production.

All eyes are currently on the European Union to see how it will retaliate.

In a statement, a spokesperson for VW Group said they “share the assessment of most experts that US tariffs and any counter-tariffs will have negative consequences for growth and prosperity in the US and other economic areas… and continue to advocate for constructive talks”.

So, while car makers brace for impact, Germany’s vowed it will “not take this lying down”, calling for a “firm response” from the EU as it tries to protect its automakers from this new American attack.

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Diego Maradona was in agony in the hours before his death, court hears

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Diego Maradona was in agony in the hours before his death, court hears

Diego Maradona was in “agony” in the hours before his death, a court has heard.

The 1986 World Cup winner, one of football’s greatest-ever players, died in a house outside Buenos Aires in November 2020 following a cardiac arrest.

He was 60.

Seven healthcare professionals, including a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist and medical staffers, have gone on trial for manslaughter after being accused of failing to provide Maradona with adequate medical care.

FILE - In this June 29, 1986 file photo, Diego Maradona holds up his team's trophy after Argentina's 3-2 victory over West Germany at the World Cup final soccer match at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
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Maradona holds the World Cup aloft after his nation’s 3-2 victory over West Germany in 1986. Pic: AP/Carlo Fumagalli

One of the experts who performed a post-mortem examination on Maradona spoke in front of the court on Thursday.

He said the Argentinian suffered agony for at least 12 hours before death and added “any doctor” should have noticed his symptoms days earlier.

Carlos Cassinelli, director of forensic medicine at the Scientific Police Superintendency, on Thursday provided details of the post-mortem performed on the day of Maradona’s death.


Fans of Argentine soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona gather, on the day of a court case against people charged with Maradona's death, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 11, 2025. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
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Fans gather in Buenos Aires during the trial earlier this month.
Pic: Reuters/Agustin Marcarian


“The heart was completely covered in fat and blood clots, which indicate agony,” he said.

Mr Cassinelli added: “This is a patient who had been collecting water over the days; that’s not acute.

“This was something that was foreseeable.

“Any doctor examining a patient would find this.”

The post-mortem concluded that Maradona died from acute pulmonary edema secondary to congestive heart failure.

The trial could last up to four months, with three hearings held a week.

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If found guilty, the defendants, who all deny the allegations against them, could be jailed for 25 years.

Among the accused are Leopoldo Luque, Maradona’s personal physician for the last four years of his life, and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, who prescribed medication that Maradona took until the time of his death.

Along with them, psychologist Carlos Diaz, coordinator of the medical company hired to care for him during his hospitalisation, Nancy Forlini, representative of the company that rendered nursing service, Mariano Perroni, Dr Pedro Di Spagna, who monitored his treatment, and nurse Ricardo Almiron are also standing trial.

Leopoldo Luque, the personal doctor of late Argentine soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona, attends, a court case against people charged with Maradona's death, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 11, 2025. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
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Leopoldo Luque, the personal doctor of Maradona. Pic: Reuters/Agustin Marcarian

Gisela Madrid, a nurse who was also indicted, will be tried by a jury later this year.

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