Spain secured their first-ever Women’s World Cup final appearance by defeating Sweden.
Captain Olga Carmona’s 89th-minute goal ignited jubilant celebrations among Spanish supporters at Eden Park, Auckland.
Sweden, who have suffered consecutive World Cup semi-final losses, managed to level the score with Rebecka Blomqvist’s goal just 93 seconds before Carmona’s winner, making extra time appear imminent.
The match, characterized by few opportunities until the late drama, saw 19-year-old substitute Salma Paralluelo give Spain the lead with a mere 10 minutes left.
Spain will now face either England or Australia in the final set to take place in Sydney on Sunday.
As Spain’s players reveled in the victory, Sweden’s team lay defeated on the field, their World Cup aspirations dashed.
The majority of the match witnessed a cautious and closely contested affair, with little indication of the exhilarating moments that would follow.
Spain’s coach, Jorge Vilda, made a strategic decision to bring back two-time Ballon d’Or awardee Alexia Putellas, who had been gradually reintroduced to the pitch following a significant knee injury. Putellas garnered applause from the crowd with a skillful nutmeg against Manchester City’s Filippa Angeldahl.
Not until the 42nd minute did the first shot on target occur, as Sweden’s Fridolina Rolfo was thwarted by her Barcelona teammate Cata Coll.
Spain’s dominance in possession was met with Sweden’s resolute defense, which had proven steadfast throughout the tournament. Sweden’s strategy of capitalizing on set-pieces continued, but Spain’s goalkeeper Coll, who hadn’t previously started a senior game, deftly handled their inswinging corners.
The match’s climax was characterized by explosive moments. Salma Paralluelo, who had previously secured the quarter-final victory against the Netherlands, maintained her composure and netted a goal, pushing Spain ahead. Subsequently, Rebecka Blomqvist’s swift response brought Sweden level.
Just as extra time seemed inevitable, Olga Carmona’s shot ricocheted off the bar and found the net following a corner, sealing Spain’s spot in the final.
Spain’s journey to the final came shortly after a disheartening 4-0 loss to Japan in the group stage. Overcoming differences within the squad, which had led to 15 players threatening to leave due to coach Jorge Vilda’s methods, Spain triumphed over Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Sweden to reach the final.
Sweden’s World Cup semi-final woes persisted, as they suffered their fourth semi-final defeat in five tournaments. Despite eliminating previous winners the United States and Japan in recent matches, Sweden narrowly missed a chance to extend the game into extra time.
With the third-place play-off ahead, where Sweden will face another challenge, the team’s long-serving captain Caroline Seger’s international career concludes without a World Cup title after five tournaments.
-BBC-
