In a semi-final that was tough for a long time, Spain’s women’s footballers turn up the heat towards the end. A 2-1 win over Sweden puts the southern Europeans into a World Cup final for the first time.
Spain’s women footballers have reached the final of a World Cup for the first time. Substitute Salma Paralluelo (81st minute) and captain Olga Carmona (89th) scored to lead the southern Europeans to a 2-1 (0-0) victory over Sweden in the semi-finals. In a turbulent final phase, Rebecka Blomqvist (88th) had scored the interim 1-1 in front of 43 217 spectators at Eden Park in Auckland. Spain will meet England or Australia next Sunday in Sydney, who will play for a place in the final in the second semi-final this Wednesday, also in Sydney (12.00 CEST).
For a long time, it was a semi-final that was hardly pretty to watch. The game flowed slowly, both teams shied away from taking risks. The Spanish short passing game, mainly initiated by Aitana Bonmati, looked good from time to time, but Jennifer Hermoso was ineffective in the front line. The newly-rotated Carmona missed Spain’s best chance in the 14th minute, her long-range shot flying just wide of the Swedish goal.
Sweden’s first good chance through Fridolina Rolfö from a few metres out was saved by Cata Coll shortly before half-time. Spain’s goalkeeper was making only her third international appearance in the semi-finals. In the preliminary round, coach Jorge Vilda had relied on Coll’s rival Misa Rodríguez. Rolfö’s direct shot was Sweden’s only shot on goal in the first 45 minutes, while Spain had only three.
In his starting eleven, Vilda again omitted Paralluelo from FC Barcelona. At 19, the youngest player in the squad had already scored in extra time in the quarter-final against the Netherlands (2-1). Two-time world number one Alexia Putellas returned to the starting line-up but found little to do against Sweden’s stout defence. After 57 disappointing minutes, Vilda took the Barça player off the field and Paralluelo came on.
The change almost paid off in the 70th minute when Paralluelo served Alba Redondo, who was on the ground. The finish went just wide. The super-joker finally did better himself. After a cross, Paralluelo shot from six metres and placed the ball flat into the right corner.
The Spanish jubilation had barely died down when Blomqvist converted a header from Lina Hurtig to equalise. But it was Carmona who had the last word, slamming the ball against the underside of the crossbar after a short corner. The Swedes thus narrowly missed out on the final, as they did at the tournament in France four years ago.
The bronze medal is up for grabs in the third-place match in Brisbane on Saturday (10.00 CEST).