Spain World Cup hero Olga Carmona grieves for her father on the flight home

Olga Carmona said that yesterday was 'the best and the worst day of my life' after she won the World Cup and subsequently found out that her father had passed away.

The Spain defender scored the winning goal in the 29th minute and was told after the match that her dad had died.

Her father died on Friday following a long illness but the tragedy was kept from her knowledge until after the final.

Carmona tweeted: 'I have no words to thank all your love. Yesterday was the best and the worst day of my life.

'I know that you would like to see me enjoy this historic moment, that is why I will be with my colleagues, so that from wherever you are you know that this star is also yours, dad.'

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

The word 'Merchi' was written on her compression top in dedication to her friend's mother.

After finding out that her own father had passed away, Carmona wrote that her father had 'given me the strength to achieve something unique'.

She wrote: 'And without knowing it, I had my star before the game started.

'I know that you have given me the strength to achieve something unique. I know that you have been watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace dad.'

The Spanish Football Federation tweeted after the game: 'We deeply regret to announce the death of Olga Carmona's father. The footballer learnt the sad news after the World Cup final. We love you, Olga, you are part of Spanish football history.'