Andy Mitten: Huge day for Barca as nine of club's players started Women's World Cup final


Andy Mitten
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Spain's victory against England in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday was also a triumph for current Champions League winners Barcelona.

Seven of Spain's starting XI represent the Catalan club and 2021 and 2022 Ballon d'Or holder Alexia Putellas, who is returning from a knee injury, came off the bench. Defensive midfielder Maria Perez, an unused substitute, also earned a winner's medal.

Two more Barca players, Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze, started the final for England, meaning nine of the club's stars were on the pitch at kick-off.

Aitana Bonmati, described by Pep Guardiola as the "woman Iniesta" also carried off the Golden Ball for the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament and 19-year-old left-winger Salma Paralluelo picked up the Young Player of the Tournament award.

Meanwhile, Barcelona's men's team played their first La Liga game in their new home at the city's Olympic Stadium on the same day as Spain's triumph in Sydney.

Their traditional home, the Camp Nou, is being redeveloped as the club looks to modernise the stadium and increase its capacity to 105,000 in time for the 2026 season.

Although there were plenty of empty seats at the Olympic Stadium, Xavi's men won their first league game at their temporary home 2-0 against Cadiz thanks to goals from Pedri and Robert Lewandowski.

In the video above, Andy Mitten reflects on the contribution of Barcelona's stars to Spain's Women's World Cup final win and considers the club's move to their new ground.

Barcelona 2 Cadiz 0 - in pictures

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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Brief scores:

Day 2

England: 277 & 19-0

West Indies: 154

The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km

Meydan Racecourse racecard:

6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes Listed (PA) | Dh175,000 1,900m

7.05pm: Maiden for 2-year-old fillies (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m

7.40pm: The Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh265,000 1,600m

8.15pm: Maiden for 2-year-old colts (TB) Dh165,000 1,600m

8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh265,000 2,000m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 1,200m

10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 1,600m.

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Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.

"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.

Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.

The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.

Brief scores:

Newcastle United 1

Perez 23'

Wolverhampton Rovers 2

Jota 17', Doherty 90' 4

Red cards: Yedlin 57'

Man of the Match: Diogo Jota (Wolves)

Fight card
  • Aliu Bamidele Lasisi (Nigeria) beat Artid Vamrungauea (Thailand) POINTS
  • Julaidah Abdulfatah (Saudi Arabia) beat Martin Kabrhel (Czech Rep) POINTS
  • Kem Ljungquist (Denmark) beat Mourad Omar (Egypt) TKO
  • Michael Lawal (UK) beat Tamas Kozma (Hungary) KO​​​​​​​
  • Zuhayr Al Qahtani (Saudi Arabia) beat Mohammed Mahmoud (UK) POINTS
  • Darren Surtees (UK) beat Kane Baker (UK) KO
  • Chris Eubank Jr (UK) beat JJ McDonagh (Ireland) TKO
  • Callum Smith (UK) beat George Groves (UK) KO

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Updated: August 21, 2023, 2:32 PM