Olga Carmona’s clinical strike proved the difference in Sydney, with perhaps the Lionesses’ best chance seeing Hemp hit the bar early on.
Spain could have added to their victory from the penalty spot just after the hour but saw a second half penalty saved by Mary Earps.
But England’s slightly off-colour yet spirited performance wasn’t enough on this occasion in their first World Cup final appearance since 1966.
A new World Cup winner was guaranteed ahead of the action in Sydney, but England’s experience from the European Championship final of 2022 perhaps allowed them to feel their way into the game swifter than their Spanish counterparts.
The first effort on target came from Hemp, whose scuffed effort was smothered by Cata Coll in the Spain net after she reacted quickest to Alessia Russo’s knockdown.
And the City winger went even closer to the opener when she wrapped a first-time effort on her left foot against the bar from inside the area on 15 minutes.
But Spain, taking part in their first major international final, weren’t fazed and the Lionesses were thankful to Earps for a fantastic reaction save to deny Alba Redondo at the far post moment later.
It was a breathless start to proceedings, with a raucous Sydney atmosphere adding to what was already shaping up to be a memorable spectacle.
And it was La Roja who struck first on the half hour.
With England losing possession just inside the attacking half, Spain exploited a gap out on the right with a swift transition out to Mariona Caldente.
The midfielder spotted the overlapping run of Carmona who fired back across goal and into the far corner without breaking stride.
Spain had provided England with one of their toughest tests en route to being named European champions in 2022, with the Lionesses edging through the quarter-final clash after extra time. It was shaping up to be an equally difficult assignment.
And they almost doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time when Salma Paralluelo’s instinctive hook towards goal clipped the outside of the post.
Chloe Kelly and Lauren James were introduced at the break in the hope of turning things round for England, with Hemp shifted into a central role.
It set the tone for another breathless start to proceedings, with Caldente’s curling effort tipped around the post by Earps at full stretch, while a miscued cross from Kelly struck the top of the crossbar at the other end.
Spain went close once again when Aitana Bonmati’s vicious drive flashed just over the England bar, but were presented with a huge chance to grab their second from the spot after a VAR review deemed Keira Walsh to have handled the ball in the area.
Jenni Hermoso stepped up to do the honours, but Earps guessed the right way to save the spot kick, handing the Lionesses a lifeline in Sydney.
After that latest close shave, England pressed forward for the equaliser, with James forcing a smart save from Cata Coll after linking up well with Hemp down the left.
That momentum was briefly halted after Greenwood clashed with Paralluelo as the pair challenged for an aerial ball, with the City defender requiring lengthy treatment after being caught in the face.
Thankfully our number five, one of England’s standout players at the tournament, was okay to continue for the final ten minutes.
An additional 13 minutes were announced as the Lionesses committed bodies forward, but Spain held firm to weather the storm and be crowned women’s world champions for the first time in their history.
