Tragedy for Spain’s World Cup final hero Olga Carmona as she’s told her father died this week just minutes after beating England – with officials keeping it a secret from the defender in the build up

Tragedy marred Spain’s celebrations when it was revealed to goalscorer Olga Carmona that her father had died before the final.

Carmona’s father is said to have died on Friday, but the news of the 23-year-old was withheld so as not to affect her state of mind during the game against England.

The Spanish Football Federation tweeted after the match: “We are deeply sorry to announce the death of Olga Carmona’s father. The footballer heard the sad news after the World Cup final. We love you, Olga, you are part of Spanish football history.’

Carmona had celebrated her first-half goal with a message on her shirt for a friend whose mother had just died.

It was reminiscent of men’s player Andres Iniesta’s gesture to his late friend Dani Jarque when he scored Spain’s winning goal in the 2010 men’s World Cup final.

Carmona scored the only goal of the game as Spain beat the Lionesses 1–0 in the Sydney final

A left-back, Carmona was named player of the match and also scored a late winner in Spain’s semi-final victory over Sweden.

She celebrated her team’s success on the field with her teammates, dancing around Sydney Stadium.

In an interview she said: ‘We felt this team had something special’.

Spain celebrated their victory in style on the pitch, with Queen Letizia even taking to the center of the team photo and lifting the trophy.

She was then handed a Spain shirt with a number 12 on the back and was forced to politely decline as the entire squad shouted for her to put it on.

The protocol was forgotten because Spain became only the second country, after Germany, to win both the men’s and women’s World Cups.

“We dedicate it to all our families and to the people of Spain,” said Jennifer Hermoso who missed a penalty, “we played football the way we wanted and we won a world championship.”

Carmona, who plays for Real Madrid in Spain, lifts the Women’s World Cup trophy in Sydney

Back in Spain, they lined up outside the 6,000-capacity WiZink Center in Madrid two hours before kick-off, one of about 30 fan sites set up across the country to show the final.

After 90 minutes there was a communal gulp as the fourth official showed that 13 more minutes would be added, but when the final whistle blew the euphoria set in.

“We took revenge in the most important games,” said Diario AS when he recalled how England knocked Spain out of the European Championship in the quarter-finals a year ago.

“It’s nice that we break down barriers and that people talk about us,” said midfielder Teresa Abelleira. The attention probably won’t wane any time soon.

Spain will return home to Madrid on Monday evening where they will head straight into a trophy parade in the Spanish capital.

However, their victory and subsequent celebrations have sparked controversy after Spanish FA President Luis Rubiales kissed striker Jenni Hermoso on stage as the players collected their medals.

Rubiales wrapped his arms around Hermoso and hugged her tightly as he whispered in her ear. Then he put both his hands on the back of her head and kissed her on the lips.

Hermoso was asked about the hug by Spanish TV channel La 1 after the match and, appearing somewhat awkward, told them, “Um…yeah, I didn’t like that.”

She said the same thing when asked in a live stream on her Instagram from Spain’s dressing rooms.

Footage of the kiss has gone viral online since it went on air, with some supporters wildly critical of Rubiales’ behavior.

Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales (right) has been heavily criticized after appearing to kiss Jenni Hermoso forward as the players collected their medals on the podium

He put his arms around Hermoso, hugged her tightly, and then kissed her on the lips

Hermoso was asked about the hug by Spanish TV channel La 1 after the match and said, in an uneasy way, to them: ‘Um…yeah, I didn’t like that’

One irate fan said, “Rubiales’ behavior on that stage was absolutely grim. Most highly inappropriate!’

Another added: “This is just appalling, there is absolutely nothing that justifies Rubiales’ behavior.”

Another angry person emphasized his contempt for the attitude of a senior figure in Spanish football. They said, “The worrying fact here is the nonchalant way Rubiales behaves towards Hermoso. The FA president does this on the sport’s biggest stage with royalty and officials close by, surrounded by cameras. Very disturbing and frankly worrying.’

One person even insisted it was a worrying sign for the sport’s future, adding: “It’s sad to think that women’s football won’t get very far if men like Rubiales, Vilda and Infantino remain in positions of power. ‘