Spain v Sweden World Cup semi-final: Three goals at the death as Spain progress
If the Matildas beat England they’ll face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday. There was drama at the death in a ridiculous finish to the first semi-final that saw three goals at the death.
After a ridiculous ending, Spain will face Australia or England in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Sweden will play on Saturday for third place.
Australia defeated Spain earlier this year 3-2 in the Cup of Nations, so if the Matildas progress there is recent history to give them confidence against La Roja.
What a game! What a tournament!
RELIVE THE ACTION BELOW
7.45PM GOALS FIRE IN AT THE DEATH
Spain scored twice, Sweden once in a ridiculous 10-minute patch of the semi-final.
After 80 or so minutes the game was scoreless and extra time seemed likely.
Then madness ensued at Eden Park.
Substitute Paralluelo scored the opener for Spain with a VAR check giving the goal the all clear.
Spanish forward Eva Navarro was in an offside position but was deemed to have not impacted the play as Paralluelo’s strike flew past her and into the back of the net.
Sweden equalised in the 88th minute, then Olga Carmona of Spain scored a belter off the crossbar from the edge of the box.
“94 seconds of madness and Spain got the lead back again,” Ch7 commentator Simon Hill said.
INSANE SCENES!
Salma Paralluelo scores for Spain and they could be on their way to the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ FINAL! 🇪🇸
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 15, 2023
She netted late in the quarter finals against The Netherlands
She’s done it again against Sweden 😳
Watch 📲 https://t.co/In5bheAX2P#FIFAWWC#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/UYtlIXqGVi
🇪🇸 SPAIN SCORE IN THE 89TH MINUTE AND IT’S A SCREAMER 🇪🇸
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 15, 2023
Olga Carmona that is UNBELIEVABLE.
And it could win it for La Roja and send them to the final!
Watch 📲 https://t.co/In5bheAX2P#FIFAWWC#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/IwqPDqig8Y
7.30PM HUGE OPPORTUNITY GOES BEGGING FOR SPAIN
How did that not go in?
Substitute Paralluelo kept the ball in play and found Alba Redondo who, while lying on the ground, spurned the chance in front of goal.
The ball hit the side netting and for a moment viewers at home and some at the stadium might’ve thought Spain had taken the lead.
But it wasn’t to be, and this semi-final is still level after 75 minutes.
7.20PM ARE WE HEADED FOR EXTRA TIME AGAIN?
Sweden have started the second half in more positive fashion but still there is no breakthrough in this semi-final.
The longer this match goes, the better for the Matildas as players start to tire at the end of a lengthy tournament.
Spain made their first change with Alexia Putellas subbed out for Salma Celeste Paralluelo Ayingono who has made an immediate impact getting in behind the Swedish defence to create multiple chances.
Extra time is now well and truly on the cards with 30 minutes remaining.
6.50PM SCORELESS FIRST HALF
While Spain had the better of the opening half, Sweden had the best chance just five minutes before the teams hit the sheds.
Fridolina Rolfo struck an inswinging cross on the volley but was denied by the keeper at the near post.
The opportunity was a warning to Spain who, despite owning the possession, are still susceptible to conceding a flash chance.
A massive second half awaits.
"If you don't take advantage of your momentum Sweden will punish you."
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 15, 2023
And they almost did 😳
Watch 📲 https://t.co/In5bheAX2P#FIFAWWC#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/kB0bo1disd
6.20PM CAGEY START FROM BOTH SIDES
The first shot of the game was struck in the 14th minute as chances look to be coming scarcely in this semi-final.
The one shot of the match from long range did go close to finding the back of the net with Swedish keeper Zećira Mušović left scrambling towards the bottom right corner, however the ball went just wide.
Spain’s style is already on show, amassing over 70 per cent of the possession and hitting their passes at 81 per cent, compared to Sweden’s 63 per cent.
6.00PM WE’RE AWAY AT EDEN PARK
Spain go into the clash as favourites but Sweden knocked out the USA and Japan going into those matches as underdogs.
It’s set to be a really interesting contest of two contrasting styles of football, with Spain a more technically brilliant team and Sweden a physical powerhouse.
The Matildas will no doubt be following along closely to see who they’ll face in the World Cup final should they defeat England tomorrow night.
Settle in and enjoy the semi-final action!
5.15PM SPANISH STAR STARTS
The teams are out and Alexia Putellas is in for Spain.
The Ballon d’Or winner has been coming off the bench in recent matches but is back in the starting XI tonight.
Olga Carmona is the other addition to the back four for La Roja.
Sweden are unchanged again, starting the same 11 in five of their six World Cup matches including this evening’s game.
4.25PM KEY MATCHUPS TO DECIDE SECOND SEMI
Tomorrow night Australia will be looking to join the winner of Spain and Sweden’s semi-final when they take on England in Sydney.
“It’s not coming home, it’s staying here”.
There has never been a better time to beat England at ‘their own game’ than this Wednesday night – in front of a sold out Stadium Australia.
It won’t be easy though – the Lionesses have a lot of strengths, they are the European champions after all.
They are technically exquisite, extremely comfortable in possession and have great squad depth. Alessia Russo is the danger player up front and she found her form at just the right time, as has Lauren Hemp.
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3.20PM SWEDEN, SPAIN SET FOR CLASH OF STYLES IN SEMI-FINAL
First-time semi-finalists Spain face a more seasoned Sweden at the Women’s World Cup on Tuesday, with a final against England or co-hosts Australia the prize.
Spain and Sweden kick off at 6PM AEST at Eden Park in Auckland in the first semi-final, before European champions England go into battle with Australia in Sydney on Wednesday.
The meeting in Auckland is a clash of styles -- Spain’s superior technique and mesmerising passing versus Sweden’s more physical approach and use of dead-ball situations.
Sweden are into their third semi-final in the last four World Cups and even though they have never gone on to win the competition, Peter Gerhardsson’s side believe that experience gives them the edge.
The Swedes also reached the last four of the European Championship last summer, before being soundly beaten 4-0 by hosts and eventual winners England.
In contrast, this will be Spain’s debut in a World Cup semi-final.
“We have the benefit of experience,” Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani said on the eve of the game at Eden Park.
“We have gone far in the last few tournaments but I am particularly pleased with the way we have done it this time.
“We have won our matches in different ways and it shows the strength of this team.” Sweden, who dumped out holders the United States in the last 16 on penalties, were one of only three teams to progress from the group stage with a perfect three wins out of three.
England and Japan -- beaten by Sweden 2-1 in the quarter-finals -- were the others.
Sweden are particularly deadly from set-pieces and in Amanda Ilestedt they have an unlikely contender for the tournament’s golden boot.
The towering Arsenal defender has four goals so far, three with her head. Gerhardsson has lauded the team spirit within his squad, saying they have the kind of togetherness usually more associated with club teams.
2.00PM MUTINY AND REBELLION THAT ALMOST TORE SPAIN APART
Spain’s first Women’s World Cup semi-final in their history is reward for years of sacrifice, veteran forward Jennifer Hermoso says, admitting to “goosebumps” at the thought of reaching the final.
Opponents Sweden are regulars at this stage of the World Cup -- without ever going on to lift the trophy -- but for Spain they are into uncharted waters.
“If you don’t feel any nerves before a game like this then something is not right,” the 33-year-old Hermoso said on the eve of the semi-final in Auckland.
“It gives you goosebumps thinking about how close we are to the final, but first of all we have the game tomorrow and Spain will come out more determined than ever.”
Hermoso, who plays her club football in Mexico, has been representing her country for more than a decade and won her 100th cap earlier in the tournament.
“Tomorrow’s game is the consequence of millions of training sessions, of so many moments we have been through, of spending time far from our families and loved ones, of so much sacrifice,” she said.
“We have worked so hard to get here and I just want to enjoy it. I want the whole team to enjoy it and for the whole of Spain to be behind us.”
Spain and Sweden drew 1-1 in a friendly last October, just after 15 Spanish players told their federation they no longer wished to be considered for selection in protest at coach Jorge Vilda.
Vilda survived the rebellion and brought three of the rebels with him to the World Cup.
“We have a (federation) president who reacted bravely, who backed me and my staff,” he said on Monday.
“Now there is unity in the squad, everyone is getting on, they are ambitious and trying to enjoy every day.” One of the players who returned to the squad is midfielder Aitana Bonmati and she has been one of the standouts at the tournament.
Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson believes it would be a mistake to focus too closely on trying to stop the Barcelona playmaker.
“The difficulty with Spain is that they have so many skilled players, whereas other teams might have just one or two stars, so that means making sure we mark them is very important,” he said.
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