Sarina Wiegman is confident England will continue to develop despite falling short in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday.

Wiegman's side succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Spain but the Dutch coach remains proud of the Lionesses' run to the Sydney showpiece.

Speaking on the Lionesses: Down Under, she said: "We've shown there is a lot of talent in this team and we have shown there are also areas in which to grow.

"We had some injuries where players stepped up. Participating in a tournament for the first time is such a big thing to have in the bag to move forwards with to the next tournament.

"Of course, I'm very disappointed that we didn't win. But most of all, I'm proud of the team. Spain were really good too.

"Considering how we performed during the tournament and all the challenges we faced before and during the tournament, how we grew into the tournament and we stuck together to play our best game, I think we've done really well."

Olga Carmona grabbed the only goal of the game in the 29th minute as Wiegman's European champions were unable to find a way back into the closely-fought contest.

But after reaching the final for the first time, the Lionesses boss preferred to praise the victors rather than dwell on her team's shortcomings.

She added: "Spain played a very good tournament and deserved their win.

"I was genuinely convinced we would score a goal and then the game would have been totally different.

"We had chances to score, especially in the beginning, but Spain's possession game was very good so congratulations to them."

On the continued growth of women's football, Wiegman said: "This tournament has broken records.

"The level of the game has improved so much, in physicality, in a technical way, the tactical way, and every country needs to step up to stay at the top.

"The countries just beneath the top are getting closer and closer and I just hope that worldwide, people will have seen it.

"The crowds were very exciting and very impressive too."