LONDON — Canada faced a tough defeat against England, losing 33-13 in the Women's Rugby World Cup final on Saturday. The match took place at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, where a record crowd of 81,885 fans witnessed the event, marking the largest attendance ever for a women's rugby game.

Canada aimed for its first World Cup title, having previously lost to England in the 2014 final. The Canadian team started strong, with Asia Hogan-Rochester scoring a try just five minutes into the match. However, England quickly responded, capitalizing on early mistakes by Canada. They scored three consecutive converted tries, taking a commanding 21-8 lead by halftime.

Despite Canada's efforts to close the gap, they struggled against England's powerful defense. Hogan-Rochester managed to score another try in the second half, but it was not enough to turn the tide. England's Alex Matthews added a second try for her team, extending their lead to 31-13.

Canada entered the tournament ranked second in the world and reached the final after a significant victory over defending champions New Zealand in the semifinals. However, they found it challenging to overcome the top-ranked England team, which has maintained a 33-game winning streak since the last World Cup.

The match was attended by notable figures, including King Charles III, who sent his best wishes to both teams, and Prime Minister Mark Carney, who attended the game as part of an official trip to Britain. The atmosphere was electric, with fans in red and white jerseys singing the English rugby anthem, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."

Canada's journey to the final was remarkable, especially considering the team's financial struggles. Rugby Canada launched a $1 million fundraising campaign, named "Mission: Win Rugby World Cup," to support the team’s participation in the tournament. Nathan Bombrys, CEO of Rugby Canada, noted the strong public response to the campaign, stating, "You invest in these players and look at what they do."

The tournament has highlighted the growing popularity of women's rugby, with ticket sales reaching around 440,000, three times more than the previous World Cup in New Zealand. Rugby officials in both Canada and England report record levels of participation, particularly among teenage girls. In Canada, the number of players increased by 11 percent last year, with expectations for a further 10 percent growth this year.

Earlier on Saturday, New Zealand secured third place by defeating France 42-26.