by australia and new co—hosted by australia and new zealand, and drew fans from all over the world. the women's world cup wraps up on sunday with a tantalising grand final between england's lioness it and spain. it's less than ten hours from kick—off as england hopes to make history. dan roan has more on the significant moments in english women's sport. 3 moments in english women's sort. �* . moments in english women's sort, ., , , moments in english women's sort. . , , ., , sport. a real sense that this could be _ sport. a real sense that this could be a _ sport. a real sense that this l could be a once-in-a-lifetime could be a once—in—a—lifetime defining moment notjust for defining moment not just for this defining moment notjust for this team but english sport more generally. the lionesses have already made history, they will become the first senior england team to walk out for a world cup final on foreign soil ever, and if they can add a world title to their european crown it would be an outstanding achievement when you consider the fewer resources they have had compared to the us, it would establish them as a dominant force, it would be a client not

just for these players, whose humility and talent and approach have set them apart as role models, but also to their coach sarina wiegman, who has turned the side into a formidable force. —— it would be a triumph. and for the fa, whose investment in this side over the past decade has paid off emphatically. and for many it would be a hugely symbolic and powerful completion of the journey the women's game has been on since the fa ban on women was lifted half a century ago. it will be watched by many millions back home, a huge opportunity for the sport in terms of profile and boosting participation numbers. a huge amount at stake in sydney today. amount at stake in sydney toda . ~ . ,, today. meanwhile, spain navigated _ today. meanwhile, spain navigated a _ today. meanwhile, spain navigated a tumultuous l today. meanwhile, spain i navigated a tumultuous and historic route to the women's world cup final. a look at theirjourney and how world cup final. a look at their journey and how this tournament is inspiring the younger generation. and time!

gabi lopez has been following his national team's phenomenal rise in the women's world cup down under. as a former player in spain's second division, this final hits very close to home. i've been watching the tv in spain, the radio, and everybody�*s talking about the final. everybody. my family were commentating. i've never seen that before. so i think for the kids, for the coaches, for the players, it's amazing that women's football is that big. it's amazing that women's football is that big. you wouldn't notice it at first glance... ..but this team, now one win away from world cup glory, has been marred by so much tension and unrest. at the centre of that is head coachjorge vilda. tensions followed last yea r�*s euros defeat against england, with 15 players threatening to quit over concerns about his training methods and inadequate game preparation. cracks were obvious after their humiliating loss against japan. all through the tournament, the deep divisions threatened

to spill over on the pitch. it has been a rough yearforthem, between the players, with the coach. and i think they have just understood that they have to just lay that on one side and just be focused on the world cup. trying to get the best of themselves on the pitch. i think_ themselves on the pitch. i think they have really achieved it. spain managed to write a different story on the pitch. it's a squad that delivers beautiful football, a team chock full of talent who mostly come from barcelona's dominant women's team. the teenage star salma paralluelo, a former runner, has scored in the quarter and semifinals and is now one of the standout players of this tournament. it's great, she's just 19 and she has been fully committed to football for one year. tolerably she will be one of the best players in the next years. —— probably. spain's team has exceeded expectations at every crucial

junction of this tournament. they've managed to put deep differences aside and create memorable moments on the pitch. they now face england, a formidable foe, for a chance to lift that trophy for the first time. but no matter what the result is, this women's world cup has inspired a whole new generation of young players. it's a testament to how far the women's game has come that many of the players who grew up with only male role models have now become idols themselves. there is a real opportunity _ become idols themselves. there is a real opportunity to - become idols themselves. there is a real opportunity to get - is a real opportunity to get into soccer. there's somewhere to go afterwards.— to go afterwards. women's pepularity _ to go afterwards. women's pepularity has _ to go afterwards. women's popularity has improved i to go afterwards. women's popularity has improved a l to go afterwards. women's i popularity has improved a lot. it's been — popularity has improved a lot. it's been really inspiring to watch _ it's been really inspiring to watch. breaking _ it's been really inspiring to watch. breaking so - it's been really inspiring to watch. breaking so many. watch. breaking so many records _ the countdown to the final is on, and there are some very strong opinions here. spain. england. spain. i shaimaa khalil, bbc news, sydney. there have also been serious conversations taking place about women sports off the

field, including about pay parity. a total prize pot for the women's world cup is $110 million, a 300% increase from 2019, but significantly lower than the $440 significantly lower than the $1140 million for the men's tournament in qatar last year. at the start of the competition, and analysis found women's world cup players would on average earn just 25 cents for every dollar made by the men. but the response from the world game's governing body fifa has come under fire. speaking in sydney, president gianni infantino said women who pick the right side scan, quote, convince us men what we have to do to ensure progress is made for women. —— picked the right types. is made for women. -- picked the right twee— the right types. pick the right battles, the right types. pick the right battles. pick— the right types. pick the right battles, pick the _ the right types. pick the right battles, pick the right - the right types. pick the right battles, pick the right fights, | battles, pick the right fights, you have the power to change and convince us men what we have to do and what we don't. just do it. with me, with fifa,

you will find open doors. just push the doors. they are open. my push the doors. they are open. my colleague spoke yesterday to former american professional soccer player... thanks for joining us. you might talk to us a little bit about the life of a woman's soccer player in the us. many people think of soccer players and they think big mansions, flash cars, eye watering salaries, is it the same for the women in the us? i hate to be a myth buster but unfortunately it's not the same in the united states. i say that knowing that the sport is growing exponentially, the resources invested in the women's game are growing. but when i was a soccer player, i retired in 2019, so anywhere from 2000 to 2019, the salary was below minimum wage. i would say on average i made about

$16,000 a year playing professional soccer, and instead of living in a mansion, i lived with a host family. it was a situation where we understood the resources were very minimal, the salaries were very minimal, the salaries were very minimal. so we were working towards a brighter future which we are seeing now with the 2023 women's world cup, and the current state of women's football in the united states. . , , states. the salaries might be different between _ states. the salaries might be different between men - states. the salaries might be different between men and l states. the salaries might be - different between men and women but the commitment is no different, the physical pressure on your body is no different. there's still a long road to go, isn't there? yeah, a very long — road to go, isn't there? yeah, a very long road _ road to go, isn't there? yeah, a very long road to _ road to go, isn't there? yeah, a very long road to go. - road to go, isn't there? yeah, a very long road to go. we - road to go, isn't there? yeah, i a very long road to go. we have been fighting, battling for equal pay dating back, you know, to 1985, when the women's national team had their first ever team camp. this has been decades, generations of fighting for equal pay. again,

we are starting to see steps taken we are starting to see steps ta ken towards we are starting to see steps taken towards equal pay, we have the women's national team in 2022 signed into law equal pgy- in 2022 signed into law equal pay. you are seeing that have a ripple effect on countries around the globe. you are seeing countries like canada in confrontation with their federation, because of equal pgy- federation, because of equal pay. you are seeing different teams really trying to push for equality and justice, and for what they feel like they deserve. what they feel like they deserve-— what they feel like they deserve. , ., , deserve. yet the prize money isn't the same, _ deserve. yet the prize money isn't the same, this _ deserve. yet the prize money isn't the same, this world - deserve. yet the prize money| isn't the same, this world cup isn't the same, this world cup is only one quarter of the fund that there was for the men's world cup. that there was for the men's world cup-— world cup. fifa has grossly undervalued _ world cup. fifa has grossly undervalued the _ world cup. fifa has grossly undervalued the women's. world cup. fifa has grossly - undervalued the women's game. the 2023 women's world cup is another statement about how powerful women's soccer can be. so it will force fifa to truly look at the game in a more serious manner, and dedicate more resources towards the

women's game. again, we have fought tooth and nail for equality. we have consistently created events, world cups where we are selling out stadiums, where you see growth year after year when it comes to the world cup. and now i think australia has been a testament to the women's game, and the talent, the skill level, the humanity involved in it. and all of the compelling storylines we have going into this world cup final.- this world cup final. given that long _ this world cup final. given that long push _ this world cup final. given that long push as - this world cup final. given that long push as you - this world cup final. given | that long push as you have described it, when you see the comments today from fifa president gianni infantino who says women who pick the right fights can convince us men what we need to do to progress women's football, what is your reaction to that statement? it is infuriating to a certain extent. because we have consistently had to ask for what we deserve. and demand for there to be progress and

change. in the face of so much resistance, and that's what makes me so proud to be part of the women's game, the battles we have fought in the face of pushback. everyone is saying that we don't deserve it, we can't do it, we can't sell out stadiums. and now we are absolutely proving people wrong. this absolutely proving people wronu. �* , absolutely proving people wron., �* , , absolutely proving people wronu. a , ., wrong. as well as being an international— wrong. as well as being an international and _ wrong. as well as being an international and clubs - wrong. as well as being an i international and clubs soccer player, you were a college athlete, and if we look briefly athlete, and if we look briefly at title nine, which gives women athletes equal opportunity in sport and educational institutions in receipt of federal funding, should the penalties for institutions that don't divide the money equally, should they be more strongly enforced? yeah, they should be. title nine, in1970, yeah, they should be. title nine, in 1970, was enacted so women do get equal investment and resources when it comes to sports. it has been a transformational piece of

legislation for female athletes in the united states of america. but there have been countless institutions that have tried to sidestep or get around the concept of equal investment when it comes to women's sports. i investment when it comes to women's sports.— women's sports. i would be interested _ women's sports. i would be interested to _ women's sports. i would be interested to know - women's sports. i would be interested to know your - interested to know your thoughts, just when you were talking there about worse, and the messaging, we have so many young girls and young women tuning in every day of the week about women's sports. —— about worth. what kind of messaging does that send to them when you are making points about not being worth as much? it means the are being worth as much? it means they are worth _ being worth as much? it means they are worth fractions - being worth as much? it means they are worth fractions of - they are worth fractions of what a man is worth. and that is not the messaging we want to send young women in the us or globally. because we have found that the best leaders tend to be women. the skills we possess, that women have had in spades when it comes to empathy and listening skills and

compassion, these create the best and most effective leaders. they run our countries and companies and businesses, ourfamilies. when you create and companies and businesses, our families. when you create a female athlete, you are creating a future leader. and thatis creating a future leader. and that is exactly what we want to do with this women's world cup, to have every young girl watching inspired to believe they can achieve more, inspired to believe they can be the next leader, the next president of the united states, the next prime minister. that is absolutely the type of messaging we want to send to young women around the world. focusing on those great athletes briefly, joanna, the final is on sunday, the pinnacle of your sport. i'm going to put you on the spot and say england or spain for the win? i and say england or spain for the win? ., ., �* �* , the win? i am on the bbc but i would be _ the win? i am on the bbc but i would be saying _ the win? i am on the bbc but i would be saying this _ the win? i am on the bbc but i | would be saying this otherwise, i am taking england over spain, i've been so impressed with the lionesses' resilience throughout the tournament when it comes to injuries and playing in front of 70,000 people looting against you in

the stands. they have been an inspiration, so i am taking the lionesses, in the world cup final. ~ . final. we will leave it there, joanna, thanks _ final. we will leave it there, joanna, thanks so _ final. we will leave it there, joanna, thanks so much - final. we will leave it there, joanna, thanks so much for| joanna, thanks so much for joining us. someone else hoping for an english victory is alex colvin, a former english professional soccer player and currently head of strategy and research for women's football at fifpro. thanks forjoining us. we will get your thoughts on the big game on sunday in a moment but let's first talk about the tournament and women's soccer in general. some top draw soccer on display the past few weeks, but also the tournament has shone a light on inequalities in pay, prize money, basic things as well, like kit and access to physios

and proper nutrition. what do you think the legacy of this tournament is? i you think the legacy of this tournament is?— tournament is? i think the lea tournament is? i think the legacy we _ tournament is? i think the legacy we will— tournament is? i think the legacy we will see - tournament is? i think the legacy we will see is - tournament is? i think the legacy we will see is one l tournament is? i think the | legacy we will see is one of the best tournament that there has been in women's football to date, i think the players have performed to a level that was expected from everybody who is a fan and who works in women's football, but for those new fans, probably something they had never seen before because it has been truly exceptional. moving the tournament to 32 teams has meant the quality has increased, where many people doubted that and thought the quality would decrease because of the increase in teams. so the on the pitch legacy is absolutely phenomenal. 0ff the on the pitch legacy is absolutely phenomenal. off the pitch legacy is yet to be seen. you are right, there has been a lot of discussion about pay equity, around conditions and basic treatment of high

performing athletes and international footballers. that remains to be seen, i don't think the compensation should stop here. we are really conscious, once the light goes off, these players and the world cup finishes, what happens after that. it remains to be seen what the legacy is off the field and around the players in a more ballistic sense. i'm hoping the conversation doesn't stop here. there is a great difference country to country, you have somewhere like the us where there is equal pay at a national level but it's not the same in every country. tell us about that. same in every country. tell us about that-— same in every country. tell us about that. yeah, the us is the anomaly in _ about that. yeah, the us is the anomaly in international- anomaly in international women's football. because there is such a spotlight on women's football now, we see the us has got equal pay, and equal revenue that goes into their collective bargaining agreement. but actually that was a long, hard fought battle over many, many years, which started around 2015. so that is something to strive for, for

every national team around the world. howeverwhen every national team around the world. however when you look down the pyramid and we move down the pyramid and we move down and look more broadly, at football globally, there are really fragmented examples of how football is developing locally. that is for a couple of reasons. investment, first and foremost, being prepared to say, we are investing in the team and it's a long—term strategic investment that is super important. in many teams, they go from tournament to tournament, so it's like we invest for this certain amount of time because we want this x result, whereas we want a long—term strategic vision not only for national teams but club football as well. to invest in players doesn't mean you get results, it's not an immediate impact of investment. england are a really good example of that, the way they have invested in their national team quite heavily since the

formation of the fa wsl, and now european championship winners and world cup finalists.— winners and world cup finalists. , ., ., ., ~ finalists. plenty more to talk about, finalists. plenty more to talk about. we — finalists. plenty more to talk about, we will— finalists. plenty more to talk about, we will leave - finalists. plenty more to talk about, we will leave it - finalists. plenty more to talk about, we will leave it there | about, we will leave it there for now, enjoy the game, alex. i believe you are going along on sunday. head of strategy and research for women's football at fifpro, thank you for joining us. as alex said, the issues are not just about football. a review in 2019 analysed average compensation in american sports. it found a massive pay gap between the nba and the w nba. the top earning male made more than $50 million, but the highest—paid female made $228,000. male golfers made 25 times more than female golfers.

in 2019, tennis, well known for female superstar athletes, women could take home over $1 million less than their counterparts at the same tournament. for more on this, we spoke to an expert on women's sports history at the university of california berkely, and a sports journalist and author covering women's equality. with the issue of tennis. the men and women get paid the same at grand slams but not necessarily other events, but the sponsorship deals vary widely, and that in a sport where the women are as big as not bigger stars than their male counterparts. the path of progress moves slowly for women in sport, doesn't it? it’s progress moves slowly for women in sport, doesn't it?— in sport, doesn't it? it's very slow. i second _ in sport, doesn't it? it's very slow. i second everything . in sport, doesn't it? it's very i slow. i second everything your previous speaker alex had to say. i was interested to hear her praise the progress of women's soccer in the united states. we are certainly behind in so many other areas of equity. tennis has had a bit of a head start because of the

dynamic push by billie—jean king, hervery dynamic push by billie—jean king, her very famous battle of the victory over bobby rigg flew back. it's about to celebrate its golden anniversary in late september, 50 years. —— bobby riggs. we have a pattern in the united states of assuming that male sports are the standard, and that allowing women to play is, you know, some kind of pathway towards fairness. that sets up a real parameter that it's almost a privilege for women to step onto any court. they have to prove themselves, they have to prove themselves, they have to come up with the funds. the structure has been set up early on to support... initially to have men bringing other men along. a big gap we have in the us, not simply the pay and

equity in women's basketball that you mention, but the struggle for women coaches and women athletic directors to be in the leadership positions, to help nurture other women's sports. ii help nurture other women's sorts. .., , help nurture other women's sorts. , sports. ifi can bring you in, ou sports. ifi can bring you in, you have — sports. ifi can bring you in, you have been _ sports. ifi can bring you in, you have been writing - sports. ifi can bring you in, | you have been writing about sport and feminism. a place where on some level sexism appears to be tolerated where it isn't in other walks of life. i it isn't in other walks of life. ~' . �* , it isn't in other walks of life. ~ ., �*, ., , , life. i think that's absolutely true. doctor _ life. i think that's absolutely true. doctor morris - life. i think that's absolutely true. doctor morris broughtl life. i think that's absolutely i true. doctor morris brought up the battle of the sexes with billie — the battle of the sexes with billie jean king in the 70s, i spoke — billie jean king in the 70s, i spoke to— billie jean king in the 70s, i spoke to her for my book and one _ spoke to her for my book and one of— spoke to her for my book and one of the _ spoke to her for my book and one of the things she talked about, — one of the things she talked about, she knew very clearly at the lime — about, she knew very clearly at the time and still understands very— the time and still understands very clearly now, was that in order— very clearly now, was that in order to _ very clearly now, was that in order to get real change in these _ order to get real change in these metrics like pay and prize — these metrics like pay and prize money, sponsorship dollars. _ prize money, sponsorship dollars, we need to have a culture _ dollars, we need to have a culture change. it's about changing hearts and minds, not 'ust changing hearts and minds, not just trying — changing hearts and minds, not just trying to win this argument on court. that's what

she did — argument on court. that's what she did with bobby riggs. i think— she did with bobby riggs. i think that speaks to what we see in— think that speaks to what we see in sports like tennis. there _ see in sports like tennis. there are many stars you are much _ there are many stars you are much bigger and have bigger fan bases _ much bigger and have bigger fan bases on — much bigger and have bigger fan bases on the women's side, they draw— bases on the women's side, they draw bigger viewership numbers, and still— draw bigger viewership numbers, and still the sponsorship gap exists — and still the sponsorship gap exists. so i think that speaks to the — exists. so i think that speaks to the underlying bias that haunts _ to the underlying bias that haunts the sports industry. you mentioned _ haunts the sports industry. ym. mentioned changing culture there. if we look at the issue of maternity leave, that is something in the field of soccer where pete have said female players must have maternity leave, so the rules are there to protect them. —— where fifa have said. absolutely. it's one thing to say you have paid leave which is enough of a fight already. obviously in the us it's something we currently do not have in most industries. most women do not have that opportunity available to them. but even if they do, having a culture that supports the return to work and specifically

in sports, the return to play, where your body is yourjob. that is something that really needs to happen, i think, from the top down. we are starting to see a lot of progress there, us soccer has been a surprising leader in that space according to a lot of the players over the years who have supported, trying to play after becoming mothers. it's something we absolutely need to see more broadly. absolutely need to see more broadl . ., , broadly. how can we solve these issues? i broadly. how can we solve these issues? liust — broadly. how can we solve these issues? ijust feel _ broadly. how can we solve these issues? i just feel like _ issues? ijust feel like historically _ issues? ijust feel like historically there - issues? ijust feel like historically there is i issues? ijust feel like historically there is a l issues? i just feel like l historically there is a lot issues? i just feel like - historically there is a lot of skittish— historically there is a lot of skittish net about women's bodies _ skittish net about women's bodies. all of this tension about— bodies. all of this tension about modesty, uniforms, a big barrier globally for many young women — barrier globally for many young women from certain cultures to do public— women from certain cultures to do public or even private playing _ do public or even private playing. in the us, even with more — playing. in the us, even with more progressive attitudes about— more progressive attitudes about public appearance, participation and dress, there

is still— participation and dress, there is still a — participation and dress, there is still a lot of tension about the exposure of women's arms and legs — the exposure of women's arms and legs. maternity leave or the interesting discussion about— the interesting discussion about women having to wear white — about women having to wear white when they are self—conscious about their periods _ self—conscious about their periods. that goes back to the historic— periods. that goes back to the historic discomfort in the culture _ historic discomfort in the culture about women's bodies being — culture about women's bodies being on— culture about women's bodies being on display. historically, what — being on display. historically, what we — being on display. historically, what we have been willing to pay for — what we have been willing to pay for or— what we have been willing to pay for or support as a culture is beauty— pay for or support as a culture is beauty contests. a display of attractiveness. and not athietic— of attractiveness. and not athletic competitiveness. until we move — athletic competitiveness. until we move past that cultural tension. _ we move past that cultural tension, we will be stuck with evaluating players based on appearance and not understanding that it's the everyday support of women from cradle _ everyday support of women from cradle to — everyday support of women from cradle to grave through all the stages, — cradle to grave through all the stages, not simply the novelty of an— stages, not simply the novelty of an occasional world cup event, _ of an occasional world cup event, but i think what alex was — event, but i think what alex was saying earlier, the long—term vision, investment in

athleticism, self—confidence, less— athleticism, self—confidence, less concern with beauty and more — less concern with beauty and more concerned with strength... in the _ more concerned with strength... in the same _ more concerned with strength... in the same way we inculcate those — in the same way we inculcate those ideals with men. just briefl , those ideals with men. just briefly, michaela, - those ideals with men. just briefly, michaela, on - those ideals with men. inst briefly, michaela, on that point of keeping young girls and young women in sport, there were big challenges there, just very briefly, how could it be addressed? i very briefly, how could it be addressed?— very briefly, how could it be addressed? ~ , ., addressed? i think it needs to start with _ addressed? i think it needs to start with the _ addressed? i think it needs to start with the culture - addressed? i think it needs to start with the culture change | start with the culture change we are talking about. it needs to start with the idea that women's sports are a product worth investing in. for so long, the conversation has been that women are not as strong, as fast, as a skilled. that is all very much permeate the conversation around sport. what we are seeing especially in this world cup cycle, when you treat the product of women's sport as a valuable entertainment property that people can and will and should get excited about. iota

people can and will and should get excited about.— get excited about. lots of excitement _ get excited about. lots of excitement in _ get excited about. lots of excitement in the - get excited about. lots of excitement in the air, - get excited about. lots of excitement in the air, we | get excited about. lots of. excitement in the air, we will bring you the latest is the women's world cup final fast approaches, kicking off injust approaches, kicking off injust a matter of hours. stay with us on bbc news. quite an eventful start to the weekend with storm betty pushing north, heavy rain and strong winds, a pretty grey and blustery start in northern ireland. 46 millimetres of rain from storm betty, but the story improves and we have some sunshine and warmth by the end of the afternoon, with temperatures in lincolnshire peaking at 25.9 celsius. this was the story on saturday, with storm betty anchored to the north—west, starting to drift further west. as we go through the day on sunday, more cloud further north and west, and scattered showers to begin with. in the afternoon, perhaps

more showers across western england and wales. further east, drierand england and wales. further east, drier and settled with sunshine, temperatures 7—21 in scotland and northern ireland, perhaps 2li—25 in england and wales. —— 17—21 in scotland and northern ireland. the first part of next week, low pressure in from the north, bringing longer spells of rain across scotland and northern ireland, some blustery winds as well. england and wales largely dry with isolated showers, and with the south—westerly wind direction, the temperatures will start to climb and feel quite pleasant. temperatures peaking at 26 degrees, 16—21 under the cloud and rain. similar on tuesday, the risk of showers continuing into the far north and west. a fewer along north and west. a fewer along north facing coasts, but plenty of sunshine and warmth. it will seal pleasant again, the temperatures widely in the mid

20s across central and southern england. —— it will feel pleasant. by the middle of the week, a change, a weatherfront could bring wetter weather. as it drifts eastwards, the wind direction will change to a fresher north—westerly. that means we will lose some of the warmth. but it turns disappear back to the north continent, it will be a cooler story towards the end of the working week. it will stay cool and showery at times toward the end of the week, with the mid—to—high teens, but even across england and wales, a noticeable difference to the feel of the weather although we might not see that much rain in the far south—east.

this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. i've been an opera fan for decades, and i want to share my passion with you. so i'm on a mission to find out how opera is trying to attract new audiences and reinvent itself. this time, i meet sir antonio pappano in the run—up to the end of his remarkable tenure as music director of the royal opera house in london, one of the top jobs in opera. as a celebrated conductor,

he wins praise and plaudits for his style and brilliance. he wants to smell every little new idea that comes up, every glimpse. tony is the music. he unites everyone. he cares about securing the future of opera and helps to train the big names of tomorrow. maestro pappano has been a great help into nurturingl talent of people like me who are young artists. l he's very encouraging. i go behind the scenes at the royal opera house to see tony in action and ask if opera is losing its relevance for new audiences and whether he thinks it's making itself fit for the future. i think every major opera house wants to entice younger audiences. it must do everything and be open to the interests of many different people. let me take you to the opera!