In a captivating semifinal clash, Olga Carmona propelled Spain to a remarkable 2-1 triumph over Sweden, securing their spot in the first-ever Women’s World Cup final. The match, witnessed by a fervent crowd of 43,217 at Eden Park, showcased the resilience and determination of both teams.
Spain’s Salma Paralluelo, who had previously stunned the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, scored the opening goal in the 81st minute, injecting life into the match that had been characterized by cautious play. However, Rebecka Blomqvist equalized for Sweden just two minutes before Carmona’s heroics.
Wearing the captain’s armband, Carmona delivered a thunderous strike from the edge of the area during the 90th minute, causing the ball to ricochet off the crossbar and into the net. This dramatic turn of events granted Spain an opportunity to vie for the championship title on Sunday, where they will face either Australia or England, the co-hosts of the tournament.
Sweden, after making it to the semi-finals in France four years ago and reaching the last four in the previous European Championship, faced defeat once again at the penultimate stage. Despite their defensive resilience throughout the tournament, they were unable to withstand Spain’s attacking prowess on this occasion.
The game saw Spain dominate early possession but struggle to convert their chances into goals. Carmona came close in the 14th minute with a powerful long-range effort, narrowly missing the target. Aitana Bonmati also tested the Swedish defense with an ambitious shot from the edge of the area, but it sailed wide.
Sweden exhibited unwavering defensive stability and applied pressure through set-pieces, finishing the first half on a positive note. Just before halftime, Nathalie Bjorn’s delivery found Fridolina Rolfo in the box, but her shot was expertly saved by Spain’s goalkeeper, Cata Coll.
In a bid to break the deadlock, Spain’s coach Jorge Vilda made an early substitution, bringing on Salma Paralluelo, the hero of the quarterfinals. Paralluelo nearly made an immediate impact by assisting Alba Redondo, who narrowly missed the target.
It wasn’t until the 81st minute when Paralluelo capitalized on a defensive error, slotting the ball into the right corner. Spanish fans erupted in jubilation, as victory seemed certain. However, Sweden responded emphatically in the dying moments of the game when Lina Hurtig found Blomqvist unmarked, who unleashed a powerful strike to equalize.
In a stunning twist, Carmona emerged as the savior for Spain, scoring a fierce shot that rattled the crossbar before crossing the goal line. The unforgettable goal secured Spain’s place in history at this breakout edition of the Women’s World Cup.
