The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup came to an end on Sunday as Spain beat England 1-0 in the final, bringing a thrilling tournament to a close. Plenty of Arsenal players were involved, with many impressing for their countries. Read on for tales of Arsenal’s goal scoring centre-back, and an Olimpico corner, as well as how Arsenal players have reacted to the tournament on social media.

Stina Blackstenius- Sweden

New Arsenal signing Amanda Ilestedt was Sweden’s top scorer at the recently concluded 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Ilestedt is a centre-back, who netted three headers in the group stage, rather exemplifying the way Sweden played their football. Chances were often few and far between for Arsenal’s Blackstenius, who finished the tournament with a solitary goal against Italy, finishing off a fantastic team move on the stroke of half time. Blackstenius’ best game perhaps came in the third place play-off, in which she won Sweden’s penalty before assisting Kosovare Asllani as Sweden won bronze.

Steph Catley- Australia

Outstanding, particularly in the group stage, scoring Australia’s first goal of the tournament to secure a tight win against Katie McCabe’s Ireland on the opening day. Catley then scored another penalty in the 4-0 win over Canada, starting at left back in all seven of Australia’s games and showing the world why her and Foord are so dangerous for club and country in partnership on the left wing.

Instagram: This World Cup, we wanted to leave a lasting impression, we wanted to leave a legacy and we fought until the very end trying to do that. Looking around at the full stadiums throughout the entire tournament and the streets flooded with Tilly’s jerseys, I get the feeling that we’ve achieved that. And being part of that will forever be one of the greatest achievements of my life. What a ride it was, thank you for being with us every step of the way.

Sabrina D’Angelo- Canada

Watched on from the bench as Canada exited the competition at the end of the Group Stage. Played second fiddle to first choice goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, who had a disappointing tournament and came under criticism in Canada’s 4-0 defeat to Australia. D’Angelo may have more opportunities to come for her country.

Caitlin Foord- Australia

Defeat to England in the semi finals, and then losing to Sweden in the third-place play-off exemplified an Australia side that had simply run out of steam. The co-hosts were without the services of superstar Sam Kerr, but the likes of Food stepped up in her absence. Foord provided quality assists against Nigeria and Canada in the group stage and then scored against Denmark in the Round of 16 with a typical driving run and finish down the left hand side.

It’s hard to find the right words to sum up this campaign after the disappointed of last night, it hurts ALOT to not have a medal to show for the tournament we’ve just had.

— Caitlin Foord (@CaitlinFoord) August 20, 2023

Lina Hurtig- Sweden

Didn’t make a start all tournament in Sweden’s run to the semi finals, but played a significant role in helping them get there. Hurtig’s winning penalty against the USA sent Sweden through to the quarter finals after a brilliant goalkeeping effort by Chelsea’s Zecira Musovic earned them a goalless draw. Hurtig’s strike crossed the line by the barest of margins after Alyssa Naeher’s save ballooned up under the crossbar and goal line technology sent Sweden through. The 27 year-old also picked up an assist from the bench as Rebecka Blomqvist equalised against Spain in the semis, before Spain went straight up the other end to score the winner.

Amanda Ilestedt- Sweden

Arsenal fans might not have seen too much of new signing Amanda Ilestedt after the Sweden defender joined on a free transfer from PSG earlier this summer. How about a last minute winner against South Africa in Sweden’s opening game to make fans stand up and take notice? And then, not one but two more headers in a 5-0 win over Italy, before opening the scoring against Japan in the quarter final. Ilestedt’s four goals, all from set pieces, earned her the Bronze Ball award, with only Hinata Miyazawa of Japan scoring more, and Arsenal fans are already looking forward to seeing the Swede’s presence in both penalty areas this season.

The last @ArsenalWFC player to score a brace at the #FIFAWWC was none other than @VivianneMiedema, in a 3-1 win over Cameroon in the group stage back in 2019 ??

— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) July 29, 2023

Instagram: No words can describe what I feel right now. Thankful!

Kathrine Kuhl- Denmark

The twenty year old joined Arsenal in January and was quick to impress the Meadow Park faithful with her assortment of skills and ability on the ball. Arsenal’s gain is also Denmark’s, who started Kuhl in all four of their games, and against England in particular, the young midfielder shone. Kuhl’s teammates Foord and Catley sent Denmark home with a 2-0 defeat in the Round of 16, but the former Nordsjælland talent appears to have plenty more big tournaments waiting for her around the corner.

Instagram: Australia, thank you for having us. It has been an unbelievable experience #fifawwc #fordanmark

Cloé Lacasse- Canada

Arsenal’s second signing of this summer window was close to playing international football for Iceland after spending four years in the Icelandic first division, but her application was denied despite obtaining her Icelandic citizenship. The forward had to wait until the age of 28 to finally make her Canada debut in November 2021, and deservedly earned herself a spot in the World Cup squad after scoring goal after goal for Benfica. However, Lacasse was limited to three substitute appearances as Canada’s one win against Ireland was not enough to see them through into the knockout stage. Arsenal fans saw glimpses of her talent in wide areas, but both them and Lacasse will be looking forward to her debut in the red and white of the Gunners.

Instagram: Not the result we wanted, now is the time to reflect, process and grow. I’m proud to have had the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Cup. Thank you for the incredible support myself and the team have received throughout the last few weeks. And.. ultimately It is always an honour to step in between the white lines representing.

Frida Maanum- Norway

Hege Riise’s Norway squad possessed some seriously talented players in all areas of the pitch, but questionable team selection and poor tactics lead to an early exit. Frida Maanum, for instance, was dropped to the bench against Japan as Norway lost 3-1 to end their World Cup campaign in the first knockout round. Maanum was not at her best, missing some key chances in the opening game of the tournament against New Zealand, but Riise’s Norway had a tournament to forget.

Noelle Maritz- Switzerland

Yes, they conceded five against Spain in the Round of 16, but it was a flawless Group Stage campaign in defence for Switzerland, who kept a clean sheet in every group game. Maritz’s versatility was crucial for Inka Grings’ team, with the Arsenal right-back starting on the opposite flank against the Philippines before playing the next three games in the centre of defence. Switzerland’s issues clearly lay in their attacking struggles, failing to build on the foundations laid by their solid defence. 

Instagram: Heartbroken the way our journey ended but NZ - what an experience it’s been! So many unforgettable moments & emotions. Thank you family, friends, fans for all the support throughout the whole tournament. Forever grateful and proud to be a part of this team. We will be back #wwc

Katie McCabe- Republic of Ireland

“Don’t get too many yellow cards” was the message conveyed to Ireland captain McCabe by her father in an emotional video on the eve of the tournament. Australia’s Hayley Raso will still be wondering how McCabe escaped punishment in the opening game as the two wide players battled it out from minute one. McCabe was booked however in the remaining two group games as Ireland could muster just a point in a difficult group to fall gallantly at the first hurdle in their maiden Women’s World Cup campaign. The Kilnamanagh-born winger scored an ‘Olimpico’ to give Ireland the lead against Nigeria, curling a corner-kick into the top corner. Ireland’s first and only Women’s World Cup goal, and who else but McCabe to score it in incredible fashion.

I’ve fulfilled the dream that I had as a little girl. Beyond grateful to everyone who has supported us as a team ?? Go raibh maith agat ?? pic.twitter.com/xf9jgLtKmQ

— Katie McCabe (@Katie_McCabe11) August 2, 2023

Victoria Pelova- Netherlands

One of Arsenal’s players of the season, especially towards the end of the 2022/23 campaign, quickly proving to be one of the most impressive midfielders in the WSL. However, Netherlands coach Andries Jonker saw no reason to break up the Dutch midfield trio of Groenen, Roord and van de Donk, so Pelova started every game at right wing-back in her country’s run to the quarter finals. Pelova assisted former Gunner Jill Roord against the USA in the group stage and slipped the ball in behind for makeshift striker van de Gragt to run onto and score in the eventual extra time defeat to Spain, proving that she can be just as effective in a wider role.

Instagram: So much love for this team @oranjeleeuwinnen. Thank you so much for the support! This is going to hurt for a while but we keep growing.

Alessia Russo- England

The second-highest scoring Arsenal player at the World Cup, opening the scoring in the Lionesses’ 6-1 win over China, netting the winner in the quafter final against Colombia and sealing England’s place in the final with a calm finish against Australia. In the final however, Russo was hooked at half time by Sarina Wiegman- the Lionesses had to change their shape, but Russo’s absence was clearly felt in the second half with no real presence upfront. Russo formed a superb partnership with Lauren Hemp, and every Arsenal supporter is counting down the days to her debut for the Gunners after joining on a free from Manchester United on the eve of the World Cup.

Instagram: Heartbroken that it wasn't meant to be but so proud and grateful to be a part of this special team. There is nobody else I would want to be on this journey with. I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us from afar and those that travelled out to the other side of the world! We will cherish the memories for a lifetime. To those who have made us feel so welcome during our time in Australia, thank you. It has been the most incredible 6 weeks. For now we rest up and recover but have absolutely no doubt this team will be back stronger than ever x

Lia Walti- Switzerland

First and foremost, how good was it to see Arsenal’s ‘snake-hips’ midfielder back out on the pitch again? Many thought that a horror tackle towards the end of the season at Walton Hall Park would put an end to Walti’s involvement at this summer’s World Cup, but her recovery was fortunately a speedy one. The Switzerland captain was her dynamic self in the centre of the park in all three group games before a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of champions Spain in the Round of 16 saw the Swiss head home early. 

Instagram: Our world cup journey is over... Really tough game against a very strong opponent. Thanks for everyones support, it has been an unreal experience for all of us!

Lotte Wubben-Moy- England

England’s success was built on the Lionesses’ formidable back three of Greenwood, Bright and Carter, meaning there was no involvement for Arsenal’s Wubben-Moy, who kept busy with a spot of art throughout the tournament. Check this out: 

Special memories captured ? A check-in with @lottewubbenmoy's World Cup doodle diary ahead of the final ?? pic.twitter.com/7GOc3pOjjI

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 18, 2023

Instagram: second in the world. bitter sweet. proud of what we were able to do together during this World Cup. thank you to everyone involved, it takes a village. but especially thanks to these women. no group of people I’d have rather gone from Bow, E3 to a World Cup final with. records weren’t the only thing that got broke this summer.