On Tuesday, Olga Carmona’s spectacular late goal secured Spain a 2-1 triumph over Sweden, propelling them into the Women’s World Cup final for the first time in their history.
Spain’s stunning victory at Eden Park sets up a Sunday clash with either Australia or England, who face off in the other semi-final on Wednesday.
The semi-final in Auckland appeared to be heading for extra time before substitute Salma Paralluelo put Spain ahead with nine minutes remaining.
Sweden’s Rebecka Blomqvist equalized in the 88th minute, only for Spain’s captain, full-back Carmona, to score with a fantastic effort in off the underside of the crossbar from the edge of the box.
It’s been an incredible run for a country that had never previously advanced past the round of 16 in a Women’s World Cup, and for a team that had been in chaos in the months building up to the event.
Last September, fifteen Spanish players informed their federation that they no longer wanted to be considered for selection, primarily due to dissatisfaction with coach Jorge Vilda, and just three of them returned for this World Cup run.
While their World Cup dream lives on, Sweden is left with a familiar feeling after reaching the finals of another big competition only to fall short.
This is the third time in four World Cups that they have reached the semi-finals only to lose.
Peter Gerhardsson’s team also fell in the last four of the European Championship last year, after losing on penalties to Canada in the Tokyo Olympics final in 2021.
Super-Sub Paralluelo
Vilda opted not to start Paralluelo after she came off the bench to score the game-winning goal against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
Instead, he summoned up Alexia Putellas, and the reigning Ballon d’Or winner made her first appearance since Spain was thrashed 4-0 by Japan in the group round.
The strategy was clear: control possession and force a more physically imposing Sweden to chase.
Spain controlled significantly more of the ball in the first half, but neither Putellas nor Aitana Bonmati were given enough time and room to make an impact.
Jennifer Hermoso’s long-range pass to Carmona, whose shot sailed wide, was the closest they came to breaking the deadlock.
Sweden had taken the game to Japan in the quarter-finals, winning 2-1, but they contributed little here until three minutes before half-time, when they nearly scored.
Nathalie Bjorn sent a hanging cross from the right to the back post for Fridolina Rolfo, who was up against seven Barcelona club teammates in Spain’s starting lineup, but Cata Coll saved her side-foot shot.
Vilda’s strategy was clearly to save the pacy Paralluelo for when the Swedish defense began to weary, and he resorted to the former athlete right before the hour mark.
Putellas was replaced by Paralluelo, who has yet to play 90 minutes in this World Cup as she continues to recuperate from a significant knee injury.
With 20 minutes remaining, the substitute’s determination almost resulted in a goal for Spain, as she strained to keep the ball in play following a cross by Hermoso, but Alba Redondo turned her cutback wide.
With nine minutes of normal time remaining, Paralluelo struck, blasting a shot low into the corner with a killing instinct.
But Sweden did not give up, drawing 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 spectre of extra time once again.
But Carmona, the Real Madrid left-back, had other ideas as she clinched victory for Spain in style.