Olga Carmona scored a late goal to lead Spain to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Sweden and qualify for the Women’s World Cup final for the first time in its history, on Tuesday.
Carmona’s shot from long range in the last minute hit the crossbar and entered the goal two minutes after Sweden’s equalizer, Rebecca Blomqvist, in front of 43,217 spectators at Eden Park in Auckland.
Selma Baralelo, the heroine of the quarter-final against the Netherlands, put Spain ahead with an 81st-minute goal to revive what had seemed a dull and sluggish match, according to Reuters.
Less than a year after the players’ rebellion that tore the team apart, the Spanish national team will have the opportunity to lift the trophy next Sunday when it faces the winner of the host match against Australia or England in the final.
In a heated confrontation, Olga Carmona scored the winning goal for her country in the 89th minute, after substitute Rebecca Blomqvist equalized for Sweden a minute earlier.
Spain will face the winner in the final between hosts Australia and England in the other semi-final, Wednesday, in Sydney.
Spain will face the winner in the final between hosts Australia and England in the other semi-final
This result is historic for the Spanish national team in only its third participation in the Women’s World Cup after 2015 and 2019, as it has never gone beyond the sixteenth round in any previous participation, according to AFP.
The Spanish national team’s preparations were not ideal, as 15 players asked the Spanish Football Federation not to be called up to the squad due to their dissatisfaction with the coach, Jorge Filda, and only three players returned to the squad.
On the other hand, the last meters knot continued for Sweden, as it occupied the runner-up position once in 2003, and the third place three times, the last of which was in the last edition in 2019.
The Swedish national team also lost the European Cup semi-finals last year, and also fell in the Tokyo Olympics final against Canada on penalties in 2021.
The Spanish national team was the best party at the beginning of the meeting, as it dominated the ball with a noticeable retreat of the Swedish players to their area.
However, none of his players, led by the star, Alexia Potillas, who came out in the middle of the second half in the 57th minute, giving her place to Baralelo, managed to score the net.
Sweden gradually began to advance during the second half, but the result remained unchanged until Baralelo broke the scoring barrier when she proved her heels with a wonderful ball into the far corner, giving Spain the lead with a goal in the 81st minute.
The Swedish national team did not give up and equalized after seven minutes, thanks to Blomqvist, who entered in the 77th minute, following a pass from the other substitute, Lena Hurtig (88).
And while everyone thought that the match was heading towards extra time, Real Madrid player Carmona scored the winning goal amid hysterical joy (89).
2023-08-15 11:01:18
#Hysterical #joy. #Roja #players #reach #Womens #World #Cup #final #defeating #Sweden
