Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023: Spain into final after beating Sweden at Eden Park

Spain's Salma Paralluelo celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the Women's World Cup semifinal match against Sweden at Eden Park. Photo / AP

Spain 2

Sweden 1

Just imagine the scenes in Barcelona right now.

And Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia and Bilbao.

For those football lovers – steeped in so much history – things don’t get better than this.

Spain are into the World Cup final, and in the most sensational way after a remarkable 2-1 victory over Sweden.

Captain Olga Carmona scored one of the goals of the tournament in the 89th minute, a long-range effort that will go down in Spanish football folklore.

It was a shot that broke Swedish hearts, coming less than a minute after Sweden had grabbed an unlikely equaliser, and when the match looked destined for extra time.

But then Carmona stepped up, sparking unforgettable scenes at Eden Park.

It’s a remarkable achievement for Spain, in only their third World Cup. After never going beyond the round of 16 before, now they have reached their Everest.

After a first half that never reached any great heights, the second period was one of the best of last few weeks. Chances flowed, though Spain always looked more likely, and were rewarded for their greater endeavour throughout the match.

Substitute Salma Paralluelo was again the decisive figure, changing the game when she came on and opening the scoring in the 81st minute.

It was hard on Sweden – their fifth semifinal defeat – while Spain will face either Australia or England on Sunday night in Sydney.

Sweden's Lina Hurtig reacts as Spain players celebrate after their win in the Women's World Cup semifinal. Photo / AP

For a long time, the biggest danger to Spain was themselves. They always try play the extra pass but Sweden were hovering ready to pounce and La Roja were fortunate to get out of some tricky situations. But their enterprise was to be admired, against Sweden’s more direct approach.

Once Spain settled into their rhythm, they dominated the first half. Carmona flashed a 25-metre shot just past the post, while Alexia Putellas worked some magic – twisting inside her marker – but her cross was blocked. Aitana Bonmati was also creating havoc near the area, with her clever movement, though her shooting radar was off.

Spain were finding space down both flanks but not a final product. They were stretching the Swedish defence but not enough to make a breakthrough and their passing wasn’t as crisp as previous matches. After all their possession, it was Sweden who came closest to a first half goal, when a curled cross fell nicely for Fridolona Rolfo, who drew a smart stop from Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll, before two subsequent corners created more pressure.

After some adjustments, Sweden were more open after halftime, with productive work down both wings, while Spain felt trapped, encircled by the press. Paralluelo, who scored the celebrated winner against the Netherlands, entered the fray in the 56th minute (for Putellas) and made an immediate impact with her pace and willingness to take on players.

Some light rain came on the hour mark, before Sweden were again defied by Coll, as she tipped an inviting cross just out of reach. Paralluelo almost provided an amazing assist with 20 minutes to go, dragging a reverse pass – despite the attention of two defenders – into the path of Alba Redondo, but the forward scooped her shot wide.

Chances were coming – with Stina Blackstenius going close with a header – as the stakes got higher.

The goal finally came in the 81st minute, with Paralluelo lashing home from 15 metres, after a rebound fell kindly in the area. It came from smart build-up play and when Jennifer Hermoso’s cross wasn’t dealt with, Paralluelo pounced.

But Sweden, as they have shown, are never dead, and they equalised within seven minutes, through substitute Rebecka Blomqvist, who was left free to smash home, after fellow replacement Lina Hurtig directed a header her way from a looping cross.

Then came one of the most remarkable twists of the tournament, as Spain regained the lead with Carmona’s strike, a swerving, curling effort from the edge of the area, then went in off the crossbar. Sweden threw the kitchen sink in the seven minutes of added time, but Spain hung on to their precious advantage.

Let the fiesta begin.

Spain 2 (Salma Paralluelo 81, Olga Carmona 89)

Sweden 1 (Rebecka Blomqvist 88)