Women's World Cup final referee accused of 'bottling' game-changing decision

Women's World Cup final referee Toni Penso has been accused by fans of 'bottling' a game-changing decision as England lost to Spain.

Olga Carmona scored the only goal of the game as she fired home a low strike in the 29th as Spain beat England to win the Women's World Cup.

La Roja had the chance to double their lead in the second-half when VAR awarded them a penalty after Kiera Walsh was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.

But Mary Earps denied Jenni Hermoso as she saved her spot-kick. The England goalkeeper kept England's chances alive as fans bemoaned the referee's decision not to send off a Spain player.

Salma Paralluelo, who was on a yellow card after kneeing Alex Greenwood, kicked the ball away to waste time, but Penso failed to brandish a second yellow card to the dismay of fans on social media.

They accused her of 'bottling' a potentially game-changing decision.

Toni Penso during Spain vs. England. Image: Getty

One Twitter user wrote: "How is that not a second yellow, cowardly from the ref."

A second tweeted: "Should be a second yellow. Clearly kicked the ball in and knew straight away. This ref."

A third added: "Player boots the ball away to waste time already on a yellow... no second yellow."

A fourth slammed: "That was a second yellow - red. Terrible reffing."

Another commented: "Ref bottled sending Salma off there. Second yellow for kicking it away."

If Paralluelo had been sent off, then the Lionesses would have played against 10 players and could have potentially found an opening to level.

Penso's decision proved to be crucial as Spain held onto their lead to win the Women's World Cup.