Spanish women’s soccer team survives dramatic end of semi-final and will play for the world title after victory over Sweden

The women’s World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, is the national football event of the summer. It is coming to a climax, with the first semi-final taking place on Tuesday between the Spanish and the Swedes. In Auckland, it was the Southern Europeans who eventually won the title, having better handled the dramatic end to regulation time.

From the start, the Spanish players played their typical football, i.e. a game with frequent possession of the ball. Their first major scoring opportunity came in the 14th minute when Carmona’s attempt narrowly missed the right post of Zećira Mušović’s goal.

Otherwise, however, there were not too many finishes, thanks to the active attacking and consistent defending by the Swedish team. Thus, both goalkeepers were almost out of work during the opening 45 minutes.

However, Spain’s goalkeeper Catalina Coll had to make a difficult save before the break. In the 42nd minute, she dealt with a close-range attempt by Björn. The Swedes had the lead at the end of the half, but their pressure did not bring a change in the score.

After the change of sides, the Nordic team was initially the better offensive team. Jorge Vilda, the coach of the team from the Iberian Peninsula, revived his team’s performance with a successful substitution. In the 57th minute, Paralluel, the scorer of the winning goal in the quarter-final extra time, replaced the Ballon d’Or winner Putellas, who immediately began to frequently occupy the opposing defence.

Ten minutes later, the Spaniards had a direct free kick from a dangerous position. Caldentey, however, did not take advantage of the interesting opportunity and the standard situation resulted only in a corner.

However, coach Peter Gerhardsson’s charges gradually came under pressure. Their opponents came close to scoring in the 70th minute when Redondo, falling in the small area, hit the side netting of the Swedish goal.

In the 81st minute, the Spanish national team could already enjoy the lead. The role of the joker was once again fulfilled by 19-year-old Salma Paralluel, who sent the ball down the ground to the right post. The validity of the goal was confirmed by VAR after a review of any offside.

But the Swedes fought back and soon equalised. In the 88th minute, the ball in the penalty area went to Rebecca Blomqvist, who shot past goalkeeper Colla. But the busy end of regulation time offered a decisive blow on the other side of the field.

Olga Carmona became La Roja’s hero in the 90th minute. The Real Madrid defender fired a shot from just outside the sixteen and, despite the efforts of goalkeeper Mušović and a crossbar hit, scored the winning goal that set the final score at 2-1.

Sweden could not find another equaliser in the seven-minute setup and will therefore play for the bronze medals. Spain will face the winner of the duel between Australia and England in Sunday’s final.

Source: FIFA, CT Sport