The Spanish star who scored the match-winning goal against England in Sunday’s World Cup final found out her father had died after the game.
Olga Carmona’s 29th minute strike was all that separated the sides in Sydney, securing a 1-0 win.
The Spanish FA has announced she found out about the death of her father following the full-time whistle.
“We send out most sincere hugs to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain,” said a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“We love you, Olga, you are the history of Spanish football.”
The 23-year-old Real Madrid star wheeled away in delight when her precise left-footed shot found the corner of Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps’s net.
She lifted her shirt to reveal the message “Merchi” on her compression top, which was reportedly a tribute to a friend whose mother recently passed away.
The defender, who also scored a late winner in the semi-finals against Sweden, was named player of the match.
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Carmona’s shot finds the bottom corner in the 29th minute
Spanish team ‘had something special’
Carmona took part normally in the post-match celebrations with her teammates on the Stadium Australia pitch; dancing, getting her medal and kissing the trophy.
It was the first time Spain had won the competition.
“We felt this team had something special,” she said after the game.
Before news of her father’s death, the Spanish FA had said title celebrations would take place in Madrid when the squad return home on Monday.
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FA boss facing questions over kissing player
Meanwhile, the organisation’s president is facing questions after footage emerged of him embracing and kissing a player during the post-match scenes.
Luis Rubiales appeared to kiss Jennifer Hermoso, Spain’s all-time record goalscorer, on the lips.
She has been quoted in an interview with Spanish media as saying she did not enjoy the moment.
Hermoso started the final, but missed the chance to score when her second-half penalty was saved by Earps.
Sky Sports News has contacted the Spanish FA for comment.