Spain reach the final after dramatic win against Sweden
While Australians go mad about the Matildas, Spain have made it to their first ever World Cup final with a dramatic win over Sweden.
Spain have progressed through to their first ever Women’s World Cup final after an extraordinary end to their semi-final clash with Sweden.
While Australia has well and truly been struck with Matildas fever ahead of their showdown with England, Sweden took on Spain to decide the first team into this year’s decider.
Eden Park in Auckland hosted this huge clash between nations that came in two wins away from their first ever world titles in the women’s game.
And it is the Spanish who have continued a dream run, capped by a wonder strike from returning Spain star Olga Carmona in the 89th minute of an absorbing contest.
Spain can now sit back and await the winner of Wednesday’s massive clash between the Matildas and England in Sydney in Sunday’s final.
8.23pm AEST - A teenage star announces her arrival at this World Cup
Salma Paralluelo’s profile is surely going to explode after her efforts in the last two matches for Spain.
At just 19 years of age, Paralluelo came from the bench to score the winning goal in the 111th minute in extra-time of the 2-1 quarter-final victory over the Netherlands.
“The shot will stay with me forever,” she said after that match.
But she was just getting started.
In an incredibly tight contest against Sweden on Tuesday night, the Barcelona winger stepped up again under the brightest lights to score the opening goal.
In a match of huge moments by incredible players, no one has made a bigger impact than Paralluelo.
7.57pm AEST - Three goals in nine minutes as Spain progress
Well, did you want some late drama?
Firstly, teenage sensation Salma Paralluelo found the back of the net in the 81st minute to finally break the deadlock in this tight tussle.
“The trailblazing teen has done it again,” Simon Hill exclaimed in commentary.
“Is it the goal that sends Spain to the Women’s World Cup final for the first time?”
But there was plenty more to come.
Spain is officially going to the final of the Women’s World Cup. After the first half with no goals, but in the second half was intense. Salma scored first and suddenly comeback from Sweden and it was corner and Carmona scored nice curler to lead 2-1.
— Helo (@t_helos) August 15, 2023
Good job, SpainðŸ‘🙌 pic.twitter.com/7cWW9XarSZ
Japan beat Spain 4-0
— Andrew Chamtany (@andrew_chamtany) August 15, 2023
Sweden beat Japan 2-1
Spain beat Sweden 2-1
The 2023 #FIFAWWC has been full of surprises and has not disappointed.
Firstly, Sweden’s Rebecka Blomqvist sparked wild celebrations with an equaliser in the 88th minute as the spectre of extra-time loomed over another match at this tournament.
But the deadlock lasted barely a minute before Olga Carmona stepped up and scored Spain’s second goal from its second shot on target.
Wow!
“Extraordinary drama here in Auckland,” Hill said, summing up everyone’s feelings watching on.
“Sweden’s semi-final curse strikes again,” he added. “Are they destined to always be the bridesmaid?”
AND NOW A SCREAMER 60 SECONDS LATER FROM OUTSIDE THE BOX WHAT IS GOING ONNNNN?#FIFAWWC
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) August 15, 2023
This game has come to life in the final stages.
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) August 15, 2023
Sweden equalise but within a minute Spain are back in front and are on their way to the #FIFAWWC Final.#ESP 2 - 1 #SWE | #BeyondGreatnesspic.twitter.com/FZObwUCuiY
7.29pm AEST - Spain star nearly scores sitting down
The two sides couldn’t be separated for most of the game and the best chance came when Alba Redondo near scored in the 70th minute while lying down in the six yard box.
After losing her balance, Redono’s flick kick nearly went in but it found the side netting.
6.20pm AEST - Spain have the first real chance
After the warm-ups and anthems, the match kicked off at 6pm AEST with so much on the line for both teams.
It has been a very tight contest to date, with neither team afforded any time on the ball in such a high-stakes clash.
The Swedes made a promising start before Spain gradually got on top in the possession stakes and carved out the first two chances.
Sweden really struggling to get going, need to get a foothold of the ball and keep it for a period. Spain with all the ball and as well as Sweden have been organised you can’t afford Spain to play like this. The final quality of the final pass has lacked but they’ll get it right.
— Josh Bunting (@Buntingfootball) August 15, 2023
The first was a scramble in the box that didn’t lead to a clear attempt on goal, before the returning Olga Carmona’s sweet left-foot strike took a deflection and flashed just inches wide of Sweden’s right upright in the 14th minute in a clear warning to the world No. 3.
Sweden, meanwhile, are yet to register a touch in the Spanish penalty area through 16 minutes.
5.45pm AEST - Sam Kerr’s nemesis back in Spain’s starting side
Spain have made two changes to their starting XI, headlined by the return of superstar Alexia Putellas.
Putellas, who won the 2021 and 2021 Ballon d’Or Feminin for best player in the world, returns to the midfield at the expense of Spain’s No. 9 and captain Esther Gonzalez.
Australia’s Sam Kerr was a finalist for the golden ball trophy in both years, but finished third on both occasions behind the Barcelona midfielder.
Putellas was the first player to win the women’s version of the award two years in a row.
Alexia Putellas was in tears after Spain booked their spot in the semifinals 🥺 pic.twitter.com/B5Ok7S38nb
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 11, 2023
Spanish defender Oihane Hernandez is also suspended for this match, replaced by Olga Carmona at right back.
Sweden have an unchanged line-up, which has been on of their keys throughout the tournament. In five of their six matches, they have had the same starting side, and they are favourites for this match.
“I think they’ve got the whole package,” American three-time World Cup winner Jessica McDonald said of Sweden on Optus Sport.
“Defensively, I think they are the best team in this tournament.”
5pm AEST - How to watch Spain vs Sweden World Cup semi-final live
If you’re looking to watch this match live, you will need to head to 7mate on free-to-air television as the likes of Home And Away and The Voice are deemed far too important to switch from the main 7 channel.
That will not be the case for the Matildas semi-final at least, which kicks off at the later time of 8pm on Wednesday night and is being shown on the main 7 and 7HD channels.
PSA for others like me who have trouble keeping up with the apparently fickle nature of such things .... 7mate are showing the "other" #WomensWorldCup semi between Spain and Sweden. Coverage starts in 10 mins.
— Deb Spillane (@DebSpillane) August 15, 2023
You can also catch Spain vs Sweden on streaming platform 7plus, with both broadcasts getting underway with a preview show at 5.30pm AEST.
Optus Sport subscribers can also watch this match live - like they have every single match in the tournament - with coverage starting at 5pm AEST.
4.30pm AEST - How did the teams make it this far?
Sweden navigated their group undefeated and then knocked over the Americans on penalties and Japan 2-1 in the quarter-final on a superb tournament to date.
The US were the two-time defending champions and raging favourites and Sweden’s victory in a penalty shootout rocked the sport around the world.
Japan were then narrowly favoured in the quarter-finals after their form in the tournament to that point, having scored 11 goals without reply in the group stage, including a 4-0 thrashing of Spain and a 3-1 quarter-final win over former champions Norway.
But as they have done throughout the competition, Sweden took no notice of any of that, scoring a goal in either half and withstanding a late Japan strike in a 2-1 victory.
World No. 6 Spain have made harder work of their march into the final four.
Two wins and that defeat to Japan allowed them to progress as runners-up in Group C before they scraped past another heavyweight in the Netherlands in extra-time in their quarter-final.
Both sides scored in the final 10 minutes of normal time before rising 19-year-old star Salma Paralluelo produced the winner in the second period of extra-time to seal their semi-final berth.
One step away from the World Cup final. Will it be Spain or Sweden?#FIFAWWCpic.twitter.com/GgnBASUxNQ
— UEFA (@UEFA) August 15, 2023
RELATED COVERAGE
If you are looking for some other great content before this match kicks off in Auckland, we have lots for you to choose from below.
— Matildas vs England: Ultimate semi-final guide
— Mackenzie Arnold’s brutal jersey snub
— Warner destroys Poms with Matildas claim
Of course, the winner of this match will take on either England or Australia in the World Cup final on Sunday night.
The two losing sides will meet off in a playoff for third that all teams would rather avoid.
The countries that fall short in the semi-finals will need to fly to Brisbane for the third place playoff on Saturday night, while the final will be held at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
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