Spain is set to make history as they secure a spot in the Women’s World Cup final after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Sweden in the semifinals. Olga Carmona’s goal in the 89th minute proved to be the decider, lifting La Roja to their first-ever championship match.
This accomplishment is even more remarkable considering the challenges Spain faced last year when their players rebelled against coach Jorge Vilda. However, the team managed to overcome these obstacles and now they are only one win away from becoming World Cup champions.
The final will take place in Sydney on Sunday, where Spain will face either tournament co-hosts Australia or England. Regardless of the opponent, Sunday’s game will crown a first-time World Cup champion.
Sweden, on the other hand, has now lost in four out of five semifinals and will have to settle for a fourth third-place finish. Despite their consistent performance in reaching the semifinals, the Swedes have yet to claim the ultimate prize.
The semifinal match between Spain and Sweden saw a burst of late goals that added to the excitement. Salma Paralluelo, the 19-year-old super-sub who previously scored the game-winner against the Netherlands, broke the deadlock in the 81st minute. The crowd erupted in celebration, believing it was the deciding goal for Spain. However, Sweden’s Rebecca Blomqvist equalized in the 88th minute, setting up a thrilling finish.
In a surprising turn of events, Olga Carmona scored the game-winner for Spain just 90 seconds later, leaving Sweden stunned. This last-minute goal secured Spain’s place in the final and sent them into jubilation.
It’s worth mentioning that Sweden has been a strong contender in previous tournaments. They were the runners-up in 2003 and have finished third on three occasions. Additionally, they won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2018 and the 2016 Games in Brazil. Despite their past successes, the elusive World Cup trophy continues to elude them.
Spain’s journey to the semifinals has been impressive, considering they have only made three World Cup appearances. In the previous tournament, they reached the knockout stage but were eliminated by eventual champions, the United States. This time around, they finished second in their group but displayed their strength with a 5-1 victory over Switzerland and a 2-1 win against the Netherlands to secure their spot in the semifinals. This is the furthest Spain has progressed in a major tournament since the 1997 European Championships.
The match saw standout performances from Spain’s players, including their two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas. Putellas, who had been working her way back from an ACL injury, made her third start in the World Cup. She was substituted in the 57th minute for the young Paralluelo, who proved to be instrumental in Spain’s campaign.
Spain dominated possession and had better opportunities in the first half, but Sweden’s defense, which had conceded only two goals in the tournament, held firm. The second half saw Sweden start with energy, but Spain continued to create chances. Though Paralluelo’s header in the 63rd minute missed the target, Spain’s persistence paid off with her goal in the 81st minute.
The match had its tense moments, including a video review for Paralluelo’s goal, but ultimately, it stood. The atmosphere was electrifying, with 43,217 spectators in attendance at Auckland’s Eden Park.
Spain’s journey to the final is a testament to their resilience and determination. After a tumultuous period last year, with players stepping down from the national team, the Spanish federation stood by Coach Vilda. This support, coupled with the return of three players, including Bonmati, proved invaluable for their World Cup campaign.
The Spain vs. Sweden matchup was a first in the history of the World Cup. As Spain prepares for the final showdown, they have the opportunity to make history and etch their names as champions.
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