Spain reached their historic first FIFA Women’s World Cup final after recording a dramatic 2-1 win over Sweden in their dramatic semi-final in Auckland, Australia. Salma Paralluelo and Olga Carmona Garcia scored for Spain, while Rebecka Blomqvist scored for Sweden.
As expected, Spain dominated the first half and Sweden preferred to defend. However, the clearest position before the end of the first half was for Sweden. In the 42nd minute, Catalina Coll had to intervene on Fridolina Rolfo’s shot, which was also the only accurate shot in the first half. In the second half, Spain continued with its pressure, and in the 70th minute, Alba Maria Redondo Ferrer could have scored, but fell to the ground just in front of the goal, she made an inaccurate shot.
The last ten minutes of regular time proved to be extremely dramatic and exciting. In the 81st, Salma Paralluelo opened the scoring in favor of the Spanish women. The goal could have been canceled due to a passive offside by Eva Maria Navarro, but VAR judged that she did not influence the situation. In the 88th minute, the Swedes still managed to equalize. Lina Hurtig then headed the ball to Rebecka Blomqvist, who volleyed in the net of the Spanish goalkeeper. Only two minutes later, however, after a corner kick, the ball reached Olga Carmona Garcia, who scored the winning goal for the Iberian women with a long shot.
Spanish women’s football team thus won its first semi-final at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and will argue for the world title in the final, which will be held in Sydney on Sunday.
