Olga Carmona’s stunning 89th-minute strike yesterday gave Spain a 2-1 win over Sweden to propel them into the FIFA Women’s World Cup final for the first time in their history.
Spain’s thrilling victory at Eden Park sets up a showdown in Sydney on Sunday with either Australia or England, who meet in the other semi-final today.
The last-four clash in Auckland seemed to be drifting toward extra time before suddenly bursting to life when substitute Salma Paralluelo put Spain ahead with nine minutes left.
Photo: Reuters
Rebecka Blomqvist equalized for Sweden in the 88th minute, only for fullback Carmona, Spain’s captain, to score with a superb shot in off the underside of the crossbar from the edge of the box 60 seconds later.
“We are so proud of everything we have done and for getting to the final, because now we are one small step away from glory,” Paralluelo said.
It has been a remarkable run for a nation that had never previously gone beyond the last 16 at a Women’s World Cup, and for a team who had been in disarray in the months leading up to the tournament.
Fifteen Spanish players told their federation in September last year that they no longer wished to be considered for selection, mainly out of unhappiness with coach Jorge Vilda, and only three of them returned for this World Cup run.
While their dream of World Cup glory remains alive, Sweden are left with a familiar feeling after going so far at another major tournament before falling short. This is the third time in four World Cups that they have reached the semi-finals, only to lose on each occasion.
Sweden manager Peter Gerhardsson’s side also lost in the last four at the UEFA European Women’s Championship last year, having been beaten in the final of the Tokyo Olympics on penalties against Canada in 2021.
“Everyone just feels sadness and huge disappointment,” said Gerhardsson, whose team had been so impressive in beating Japan 2-1 in the last eight. “We were up against an excellent Spanish side and they were able to disrupt us a lot more than Japan did.”
Vilda decided against handing a start to Paralluelo, after she came off the bench to score the winner in the quarter-final against the Netherlands. Instead he recalled Alexia Putellas, and the reigning Ballon d’Or winner started for the first time since Spain were walloped 4-0 by Japan in the group phase.
Vilda’s plan was clearly to save the pacy Paralluelo for when the Swedish defense was tiring, and it was just before the hour mark that he turned to the former athlete.
Paralluelo struck with nine minutes of normal time remaining, showing a killer instinct to lash a shot low into the corner.
Sweden drew level in the 88th minute thanks to two substitutes of their own.
Lina Hurtig had only just come on when she nodded down a cross for Blomqvist to fire home, raising the specter of extra time.
However, Carmona, the Real Madrid leftback, had other ideas as she clinched victory for Spain in style.
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