August 15 – Spain reached their first-ever Women’s World Cup final with a dramatic 2-1 victory against a solid Sweden courtesy of an 89th-minute winner by Olga Carmona.
The two European sides looked well on the way to extra time and penalties in a cagey match with few opportunities until the match ignited in the last ten minutes.
Spain took the lead through their rising Salma Paralluelo, who had fired her team past the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, the Swedish equalized with a fine side-footed volley by Rebecka Blomqvist but their joy lasted just two minutes before the Spanish captain slammed home the winner.
Sweden had switched off for a moment and not even their standout player of the tournament, goalkeeper Zećira Mušović, despite getting a hand to the ball, could prevent the strike that sent them crashing out of the tournament. The elimination was a déja vu for Sweden, the eternal bridesmaids and five-time semi-finalists who have reached the final just once.
On the night, at Eden Park in New Zealand’s last match of the tournament as co-hosts, they had however been outclassed by Spain, who dominated possession, played in a more constructive fashion, and ultimately were rewarded for taking the game to Sweden in the final quarter of the match.
The win will come as vindication for the Spanish coach and FA after players revolted last year. In the final at Stadium Australia on Sunday, the Spanish will take on the winner of Wednesday’s semi-final between co-hosts Australia and European champions England. Last year, Spain won both the U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups.
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