Spanish jubilation, Swedish sadness: the first semi-final is history. © APA/afp / MICHAEL BRADLEY

Spain's female footballers in the World Cup final for the first time

The first final participant in the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand has been confirmed: Spain brought Sweden to its knees in the semi-finals.

August 15, 2023

From: dpa

Substitute Salma Paralluelo (81st minute) and captain Olga Carmona (89th) led the southern Europeans to a 2-1 victory in the semi-finals over Sweden with their goals. In a turbulent final phase, Rebecka Blomqvist (88th) scored the interim 43.217-1 in front of 1 spectators in Eden Park in Auckland.

Next Sunday in Sydney, Spain will meet England or Australia, who will play in the second semi-final this Wednesday - also in Sydney - for a place in the final (12 p.m. CEST).

For a long time it was a semi-final that was hardly pleasant to watch. The game flowed slowly and both teams shied away from taking risks. At times the Spanish short passing game, initiated primarily by Aitana Bonmati, looked good, but Jennifer Hermoso remained ineffective in the front row. Carmona, who was newly rotated into the team, initially missed Spain's best opportunity in the 14th minute, her long-range shot flying just past the Swedish goal.

In this scene, Olga Carmona scores the Spanish winning goal. © APA/afp / MARTY MELVILLE

Sweden's first good chance by Fridolina Rolfö from a few meters away from the goal was saved by Cata Coll shortly before half-time. Spain's goalkeeper only made her third international appearance in the semi-finals. In the preliminary round, coach Jorge Vilda had bet on Coll's competitor Misa Rodríguez. Rolfö's direct shot was Sweden's only shot on goal in the first 45 minutes, while Spain only recorded three.

Vilda again did without Paralluelo from FC Barcelona in his starting eleven. At 19, the youngest player in the squad had already decided the quarter-final against the Netherlands (2-1) in extra time with her goal. The two-time world footballer Alexia Putellas was involved again from the start, but found little means against Sweden's courageous defense. After 57 disappointing minutes, Vilda took the Barça player off the field and Paralluelo came on.

Sweden only has the “small finale”

The change almost paid off in the 70th minute when Paralluelo fed Alba Redondo, who was lying on the ground. The conclusion was just missed. The super joker finally did it better himself. After a cross, Paralluelo shot from six meters and put the ball flat into the right corner. The Spanish celebration had barely died down when Blomqvist used a header from Lina Hurtig to equalize. But the last word was spoken by Carmona, who hit the ball against the bottom edge of the crossbar after a short corner.

As in the tournament four years ago in France, the Swedes narrowly missed the final. The game for third place will be for bronze on Saturday (10 a.m. CEST) in Brisbane.