Fara Williams column: Lionesses can hold their heads high

Spain deserved to win the World Cup. They had a great tournament.

I thought mentally the Lionesses might have had the edge in the final but it was the Spaniards who turned up and dominated on the big occasion.

Tactically, we got it wrong in the first half. Sarina Wiegman changed it to a back four at half-time but I think she could have done it sooner.

As soon as we changed shape, we were more aggressive in our play and we had the personnel on the pitch to have made that switch when it was going wrong in the opening 45 minutes.

Magnificent Mary

The reason England stayed in the match was Mary Earps, who had a really good tournament.

She has continued the momentum from the Euros last summer when she went the whole tournament without making a mistake.

Obviously the penalty shootout win over Nigeria was another highlight for her and then when she saved the penalty in the final I thought we were going to go on and get an equaliser.

Winning the Golden Glove was well deserved.

My player of the tournament

Aitana Bonmati of Spain was my favourite player of the World Cup. Phenomenal.

She has been exceptional since the beginning of the tournament when she really stood above the rest in the win over Costa Rica.

Everything went through her in the final, whether it be defensively or in attack. Our midfield could not get anywhere near her.

She showed class and her performances meant that Spain did not even particularly miss Alexia Putellas, who was not at her best.

Defying the doubters

England will feel like they have failed but they should know that once again they have inspired a nation and continued to build their legacy.

They came out to this World Cup with a depleted squad and there were lots of doubters, myself included.

I would not say they have overachieved — I am sure they had their eyes on winning this tournament — but they have certainly shown off their strength in depth and mental qualities.

They have opened up the eyes of football fans in this country, and around the world, and there is now so much respect on their name.

Keep Sarina at all costs

I know there has been talk about Wiegman and the USA job but we need to do everything in our power to keep her.

We have the Olympics next year and then another Euros, which I am sure she will be aiming for.

The impact she has had — not just on the players but on the nation — has been huge and meant that I think everybody has taken a real liking to her.

She has shown humanity and empathy but is also a great football manager, so we are lucky to have her.