7 July 2019 – As in every FIFA tournament, pride of place in the history books will go to the winning team after USA triumphed at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™. However, an important chapter will also be reserved for the outstanding individual performers, with the names of Megan Rapinoe, Lucy Bronze, Rose Lavelle and Sari Van Veenendaal destined to be written in bold.
FIFA.com runs through all the award winners honoured after the final.
adidas Golden Ball: Megan RAPINOE (USA)
“I feel like I’m a mother watching all my little kids be so successful.” That was the memorable phrase uttered by Megan Rapinoe ahead of the final, as she paid tribute to her team-mates. Just imagine how proud the ‘kids’ must be feeling now about their ‘mother’! The forward proved that – even at 34, and with a trophy cabinet crammed with silverware – the very best can stay motivated and combine their hunger with talent and fitness levels that refuse to wilt. Rapinoe’s importance to the Stars and Stripes was particularly evident during the knockout phase, when their vice-captain came to the rescue each time they were in trouble, not least with two coolly-taken penalties against Spain in the last 16 and two more vital goals during the tense quarter-final against France. True to form, she stepped up again in the final to bury the penalty that set the holders on their way to victory.
adidas Silver Ball: Lucy BRONZE (ENG)
England’s tournament was eerily reminiscent of their campaign at Canada 2015, featuring a run to the semi-finals, a set of thrilling games – and some exceptional performances from Lucy Bronze. The right-back was not only a core member of a defence that went 381 minutes without conceding, she also posed a constant threat further forward. Bronze scored a wonderful goal against Norway in 2015 and she conjured up another sublime effort in France – again from long range, and again with Norway the opponents. The major difference this time is that the defender travels home with an individual trophy in her luggage.
adidas Bronze Ball: Rose LAVELLE (USA)
Rose Lavelle could justifiably lay claim to being the revelation of the tournament, but not everyone will see it that way. Just ask her coach Jill Ellis, who spotted her talent early on and promised her a bright future while she was still in high school. Lavelle was superb at France 2019, working wonders in midfield thanks to her speed, technique and physical condition. It would be impossible to list all her eye-catching moments, but her double against Thailand and all-round display against Sweden stood out in the group stage, as did her dazzling first half against England in the semi-finals. She saved her masterpiece for the final, however, showcasing her technical prowess and shooting accuracy to put USA 2-0 up.
adidas Golden Boot: Megan RAPINOE (USA), 6 goals, 3 assists
The Stars and Stripes forward also claimed the prize as top scorer after racking up six goals and three assists – the same tally as her team-mate Alex Morgan, but achieved in a shorter amount of time on the pitch.
adidas Silver Boot: Alex Morgan (USA), 6 goals, 3 assists
When Alex Morgan opened the scoring against Thailand in USA’s first game at France 2019, few could have imagined she would go on to register another four times to become the first player to hit five goals in a Women’s World Cup match. It was little surprise that she was unable to keep up that frightening rhythm, but Morgan continued to shine up front and headed in another decisive goal against England in the semi-finals.
adidas Bronze Boot: Ellen White (ENG), 6 goals
“The pass is played to Ellen White … and it’s a goal!” Of all the phrases used by commentators at France 2019, few can have been heard more often than that one. Scorer of six goals in six games, from just 12 shots on target, the England striker drove her team all the way through to the last four. A master of one-touch build-up play and an excellent timer of runs in behind the defence, White’s predatory instincts allowed her to always pop up in the right place at the right time.
adidas Golden Glove: Sari van Veenendaal (NED)
Back-up to Loes Geurts during the qualifiers, Van Veenendaal took over between the posts shortly before the tournament kicked off. And while it is impossible to know how the Oranjeleeuwinnen would have fared with another goalkeeper, what is certain is that she proved a major asset during their journey to the final. Exceptional in the round of 16 tie against Japan, and solid again under Swedish pressure in the semi-finals, Van Veenendaal put in another fantastic display in the showpiece game, despite conceding two goals. She will no doubt remember each of her saves whenever she finds herself glancing at her adidas Golden Glove Award.
FIFA Young Player Award: Giulia Gwinn (GER)
First she sparkled at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016. Then she turned heads at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018. So was anyone really surprised to see Gwinn light up her third World Cup in three years? The youngster kicked off with Germany’s only goal in their opening win against China PR and impressed with her qualities throughout, bringing her audacity and vision to the fore in each encounter. Those glittering gifts, along with her energy and enthusiasm, convinced the FIFA Technical Study Group to hand her the FIFA Young Player Award.
FIFA Fair Play Award: France
Despite the obvious disappointment of being knocked out on home soil in the quarter-finals, France do not leave the tournament empty-handed. Thanks to the first-class conduct of their players, as well as their positive attitude on and off the pitch, the host nation come away with the FIFA Fair Play Award.
(source: FIFA.com)