Spanish women’s football team skipper Olga Carmona learnt about her father’s death just hours after the FIFA World Cup final match against England on Sunday. Carmona scored the solitary goal of the final to guide Spain to their first-ever major triumph in women's football. A Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) spokesperson said that Carmona’s father was ill and passed away on Friday. Without sharing much information about the cause of the death, the RFEF wrote on Twitter, “We deeply regret that we must announce the death of Olga Carmona's father. [Carmona] learned of the sad news after the World Cup final. We send our deepest condolences to Olga and her family at this time of deep sorrow. We love you, Olga, you are Spanish football history."
According to Spanish outlet Relevo, Olga Carmona’s family and relatives decided not to share the tragic piece of information with her before Sunday’s summit clash against England. Carmona’s brothers and mother were in New Zealand to Support La Roja during the FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage games and they later went back to Spain. They arrived in Australia on Saturday to cheer for the Carmona-led Spanish side in the summit clash.
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Carmona, along with her Spanish teammates, celebrated emphatically after her side won the thrilling fixture against England to lift the World Cup trophy. Later, the 23-year-old left back wrote on Twitter, “I know that you gave me the strength to achieve something unique. I know you have been watching me tonight and you are proud of me. Rest in peace dad."
Olga Carmona’s club Real Madrid also offered condolences to the defender and her family members. “Real Madrid, the president and the board of directors are deeply saddened by the passing of the father of our player Olga Carmona. Real Madrid would like to extend our condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Olga, her family and all her loved ones. May he rest in peace," read an official statement shared by the Spanish football team.
{{/usCountry}}Olga Carmona’s club Real Madrid also offered condolences to the defender and her family members. “Real Madrid, the president and the board of directors are deeply saddened by the passing of the father of our player Olga Carmona. Real Madrid would like to extend our condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Olga, her family and all her loved ones. May he rest in peace," read an official statement shared by the Spanish football team.
{{/usCountry}}Carmona scored with a beautiful left-footed strike in the 29th minute to earn a lead for her side in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final against England. The sublime strike helped Carmona in becoming the final’s most valuable player. In the semi-final against Sweden, she had also scored a late winner for Spain. Carmona even became the first player since former American footballer Carli Lloyd in 2015 to score in the World Cup final and semi-final.
The victorious Spanish football team are scheduled to return to Madrid from Sydney early Monday morning. The Spanish football federation had previously stated that celebration for the World Cup triumph would take place later on Monday. Though, it is now not clear whether the title celebration would take place at all. There is also no word on Carmona’s participation in it.