Olga Carmona had terrible mixed feelings on Sunday, August 20, 2023. The 23-year-old captain became the match winner for Spain against England in the World Cup final by scoring the only goal of the match. Her father just didn’t experience this anymore, Carmona was told after the final in Sydney.
Carmona’s father had been ill for some time and died on Friday, the Reuters news agency reported. Her friends and family decided to keep the news away from Carmona so she could focus on Sunday’s World Cup final in Sydney. Her mother and brothers arrived in the Australian city on Saturday and attended the final a day later to see Carmona at work. However, the defender was not informed about her father’s death until after the final battle by her relatives.
The first half of the World Cup final in Sydney is over ?? It is 1-0 for the Spaniards after this (??) goal by Olga Carmona.
Watch live? https://t.co/dL0dtJa3c3#FIFAWWC #SPAENG pic.twitter.com/glgOY61DJI
— NOS Sport (@NOSsport) August 20, 2023
Painfully enough, Carmona showed a message on her undershirt with the text ‘Merchi’, which was reportedly a tribute to her best friend’s late mother. Ten hours after the Spanish became world champion, she reported X, formerly Twitter. “And without knowing it, I already had my star before the final started. I know you have given me the strength to achieve something unique. I know you watched me tonight and you’re proud of me. Rest in peace daddy.”
The Spanish Football Federation also reported the tragic death on Sunday evening. “We deeply regret the passing of Olga Carmona’s father. The player has learned the sad news after the World Cup final,” the Spanish federation said in a press release. “We extend our deepest condolences to Olga and her family at this time of deep sorrow. We love you, Olga, you are the history of Spanish football.”