Players from eventual winners Spain, beaten finalists England and three other nations make it into GOAL's best XI from the last month Down Under
Spain were crowned champions of the world on Sunday to conclude what was a truly brilliant Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. With giants like Brazil, Germany and Canada crashing out in the group stages, while underdogs such as Morocco, Jamaica and South Africa made the last 16, it was certainly one of the best tournaments this competition has given us.
There were some exceptional individual performances along the way, too, in all areas of the park, with so many different styles and systems on show Down Under making it all the more interesting.
But who are the 11 players that have made GOAL's World Cup Team of the Tournament?…
GettyGK: Mary Earps (England)
One of the trickiest positions to pick in this team, with Australia's Mackenzie Arnold and Sweden's Zecira Musovic both unlucky to miss out, but it's Mary Earps who gets the nod in between the sticks.
The England star became the first since goalkeeper since 2007 to save a penalty in a Women's World Cup final, with her certainly deserving of that big moment on the big stage on Sunday. The same goes for the warm applause and cheer she got when she claimed her Golden Glove award, too.
Earps constantly came up big for the Lionesses in this tournament, keeping three clean sheets and making a number of highlight reel-worthy saves along the way.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesRB: Ona Batlle (Spain)
Originally one of the 15 players that withdrew from national team selection, that Ona Batlle chose to make herself available for Spain for this World Cup was a huge boost for La Roja.
Arguably the best right-back in the world already, the 24-year-old was extremely effective on both sides of the ball throughout the tournament as her nation were crowned champions of the world.
No player won more tackles than Batlle in Australia and New Zealand, and only two completed more passes in the final third. She's the perfect modern day full-back.
Getty ImagesCB: Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden)
It's not every day that there is a centre-back in the running for the Golden Boot, but Amanda Ilestedt's four goals for Sweden this past month put her right up there, only one behind eventual winner Hinata Miyazawa.
Those goals were important, too. The first, a 90th-minute winner against South Africa, ensured her country got off to the perfect start. Her second broke the deadlock in the 5-0 win over Italy, with Sweden having struggled to opening the scoring until her header. The fourth, meanwhile, gave Sweden the lead in their quarter-final victory over Japan, which surprised many.
Let's not take away from Ilestedt's defensive contributions, either. Sweden kept four clean sheets in their seven World Cup games, only conceding three times, and their towering, goalscoring centre-back was a huge reason why.
Getty ImagesCB: Alex Greenwood (England)
One of the most impressive performers across this entire tournament, Alex Greenwood was absolutely brilliant for England as the Lionesses reached the final for the first time.
No player in Australia and New Zealand completed more passes than the centre-back, whose ball-playing abilities and set-piece deliveries also made her the joint-second most creative footballer on show, despite her position.
England kept three clean sheets in seven games at this World Cup, too, conceding only four times, and Greenwood's reading of play, well-timed tackles and excellent blocks were a big part of that defensive effort.