Bonmati to Caicedo: Women's World Cup players of the tournament
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Ahead of the Women's World Cupfinal on Sunday between England and Spain, AFP Sport picks its five best players of the tournament:
Aitana Bonmati (Spain)With Alexia Putellas struggling to recover full fitness after a serious knee injury, Spain needed others to step forward if they were to emerge as genuine contenders to win the WorldCup.
Bonmati, her teammate at Barcelona, did exactly that.
The 25-year-old scored a superb goal against Costa Rica and produced two more exceptional finishes in the 5-1 demolition of Switzerland, a game in which she also provided two assists in a masterful performance from midfield.
Bonmati was one of three players who returned to the Spain fold for the World Cup after being among the 15 rebels who announced last September they did not want to be considered for selection.
Classy Bonmati takes five-star Spain into World Cup quarters
FootballHer performances have been so good that she must now have a serious chance of succeeding Putellas and winning this year's Ballon d'Or.
Alex Greenwood (England)European champions England have not always sparkled but they reached Sunday's final thanks in part to their sturdy defence.
The 29-year-old Manchester City defender Greenwood has played a key part in keeping the Lionesses watertight while also contributing to their passing game out of defence.
England kept cleansheets with 1-0 wins in the group phase over Haiti and Denmark, and just about kept out Nigeriaover 120 minutes to salvage a 0-0 draw and squeeze into the quarter-finals 4-2 on penalties.
Something of an unsung hero, the centre-back Greenwood proved as reliable in the shootout as she has been in defence, holding her nerve
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