Spain win first Women's World Cup moving to finals, defeating Sweden

Posted : 15 August 2023

Spain has achieved a historic milestone by reaching their first-ever Women's World Cup final, propelled by Olga Carmona's late winner that saw them triumph over Sweden. The match at Eden Park had witnessed few opportunities until the final ten minutes, when the dynamics shifted dramatically. First, Salma Paralluelo appeared to secure Spain's decisive goal.

However, Sweden retaliated as Rebecka Blomqvist equalized just two minutes before the final whistle. The breathtaking conclusion came when Carmona struck the winning blow.

The exultant moment saw Olga Carmona celebrating with her teammates after netting Spain's second goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Semi Final encounter against Sweden at Auckland's Eden Park on August 15, 2023.

The electrifying sequence of events resulted in three goals within the last 10 minutes, propelling Spain into the Women's World Cup final, where they are set to face either England or Australia on Sunday.

The 81st-minute goal by teenage sensation Salma Paralluelo initially seemed to settle what had been a lackluster match. Yet, Rebecka Blomqvist's stunning equalizer for Sweden added another twist, only for Olga Carmona to reclaim the lead, sealing the victory.

In the first half, the anticipated narrative unfolded as Spain dominated possession while Sweden maintained a disciplined and well-structured defense. This resulted in limited clear-cut chances for both sides. Notable instances included Carmona's narrowly missed shot and Fridolina Rolfo's effort, saved by Cata Coll, representing the closest opportunities for a breakthrough.

The second half grew tenser and more scrappy, with neither team managing to create notable scoring opportunities or exert substantial pressure. Alba Redondo had a chance to put Spain ahead in the 70th minute, but her effort while prostrate couldn't find the target.

However, the introduction of substitute Paralluelo proved transformative for Spain. Her speed and adept touch unsettled the Swedish defense, and when presented with an opportunity in the box, her finish was both precise and jubilantly celebrated.

While Spain's performance didn't particularly shine against Sweden's disciplined and physical approach, Paralluelo's impact reshaped the game's dynamics. The dilemma now lies with coach Jorge Vida, who must decide on the lineup for the final.

Paralluelo's inclusion seems inevitable, but Jenni Hermoso also demonstrated improvement when positioned behind her, contributing to Spain's first goal and showcasing strong overall play. With choices to make, Vida might need to make tough decisions, possibly involving Alexia Putellas, who, except for a dazzling nutmeg, struggled to exert her influence on the game as she continues her comeback from injury.

Spain win first Women's World Cup moving to finals, defeating Sweden

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