Spain beat Sweden 2-1 amid incredible late drama in Auckland, New Zealand as the Spaniards have reached their first-ever Women’s World Cup final.
[ WATCH: Women’s World Cup on Peacock ]
After a tight, tense 81 minutes of action, 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo jumped off the bench and scored a beauty as it looked like she would once again be the hero following her winner against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
But in the 88th minute Sweden equalized with another substitute, Rebecka Blomqvist, finishing superbly as it looked like the semifinal was heading to extra time.
However, Spain’s captain Olga Carmona emerged as the hero as a short corner in the 89th minute found her on the edge of the box and her left-footed strike hit the crossbar and went in to send the Spanish players wild.
Given all of the unrest in the Spanish camp before this World Cup as 10 players withdrew due to the ongoing dispute with the Spanish federation, the fact they’ve reached Sunday’s World Cup final in Sydney without so many regulars makes an absolutely incredible achievement even more impressive.
Paralluelo is Spain’s not-so secret weapon
In a tight, tense game it was teenager Salma Paralluelo who made the difference.
After scoring the winner in the quarterfinal, the youngster once again gave Spain a cutting edge after they had plenty of the ball but were being frustrated by Sweden’s stubborn defense.
Her instinctive strike was excellent but even before that she caused so many problems for Sweden cutting in from the left. Paralluelo may not start the final simply because she’s been so good having an impact off the bench and provides something totally different to their possession-based style.
After her heroics in both the quarterfinal and semifinal, she is Spain’s not-so secret weapon as they aim for World Cup glory.
How to watch Spain vs Sweden live, stream link and start time
Kickoff: 4 am ET, Tuesday
How to watch in English: Fox
How to watch en Español: Telemundo/Women’s World Cup full replay on Peacock
Incredible scenes and celebrations at the final whistle!
Spain have reached the World Cup final for the first time in their history.
After so much adversity ahead of the tournament with so many key players pulling out of the squad, this is an incredible achievement from this young squad of players.
😍 ¡Están llenas de felicidad!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 15, 2023
🥳 Las jugadoras de #ESP no pudieron contener la emoción tras saberse finalistas de la @FIFWWC.
📺 ¡La #FIFAWWC por @Telemundo y @peacock!#MundialTelemundo #LaCopaEsNuestra pic.twitter.com/7Ybp8EMPjO
What a response from Spain! They score right away to regain their lead.
A short corner finds its way to Olga Carmona and her shot on target hits the underside of the bar and goes in.
Musovic will be disappointed she didn’t save that.
¡Golazo que puede valer una final🤩!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 15, 2023
😎 Olga Carmona en el último minuto con un zurdazo vence a la arquera y España sueña.#ESP 1-1 #SWE
📺 @Telemundo y @peacock ➡️ https://t.co/bxb1GqPC62#MundialTelemundo #LaCopaEsNuestra #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/IwhKyqpqfo
Wow. What a finish.
A cross from the left loops in and Hurtig deflects the ball down to substitute Rebecka Blomqvist who calmly finishes.
With just a few minutes to go it’s 1-1!
¡La dejaron sola y no desaprovechó😱!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 15, 2023
🤩 Rebecka Blomqvist consigue el empate a dos minutos del final.#ESP 1-1 #SWE
📺 @Telemundo y @peacock ➡️ https://t.co/bxb1GqPC62#MundialTelemundo #LaCopaEsNuestra #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/Y5NWTT2IzK
Just when it looked like it was heading to extra time, substitute Salma Paralluelo hammers home.
A cross into the box is cleared poorly by Sweden and Paralluelo is there to drill home a first-time effort.
The youngster has been excellent since coming off the bench and after scoring the winner against the Netherlands in the quarterfinal, it looks like she may have led Spain to the World Cup final…
¡España cerca de la final🤩!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 15, 2023
😎 Salma Paralluelo dispara con potencia y la pone pegada al palo#ESP 1-0 #SWE
📺 @Telemundo y @peacock ➡️ https://t.co/bxb1GqPC62#MundialTelemundo #LaCopaEsNuestra #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/cyEgvbamQF
Both teams have had chances to go ahead in the second half and Spain are piling on the pressure late on.
Just over 10 minutes of normal time to go and both teams are in two minds about going for it.
Right now, extra time looks very likely.
A very tight, cagey first half as Spain have struggled to break down a stubborn Sweden.
Very few chances and there is a real clash of styles, as expected. Sweden will be very happy with that first half as they looked dangerous when whipping crosses into the box and contained Spain with relative ease.
A great cross to the back post finds Rolfo and she volleys superbly towards goals but it is saved and goes out for a corner.
After not seeing much of the ball during this first half, Sweden are piling on the pressure just before half time.
Spain have been on top throughout the first half as Sweden have sat back and tried to soak up pressure.
Sweden have been very wee organized to frustrate Spain but the Spanish have had a couple of efforts on goal with Jenni Hermoso creating plenty of opportunities in attack.
This is a real clash of styles and has been extremely tense so far.
Peter Gerhardsson is two wins away from doing more than an incredible group of predecessors headline by Pia Sundhage.
A Golden Generation of Swedes are on board, with Kosovare Asllani still thriving and only two players under 26 on the roster.
Hanna Bennison is one of those two, and the Everton midfielder is part of an electric group of playmakers including Aslllani, Lina Hurtig, Fridolina Rolfo, and Stina Blackstenius.
And that’s without mentioning the women who almost singlehandedly ended the USWNT’s threepeat quest: goalkeeper Zecira Musovic.
There’s been plenty of drama and controversy in Spain’s run to the semifinal, and it started well before the tournament with some players protesting the team, held away from it, or both.
But that’s in the rearview at the moment as nine different players have scored for Spain in winning their matches by a combined 15-2 score line. That’s quite a contrast to the 4-0 demolition by Japan, but that’s soccer: Sweden handled Japan for the Spaniards.
Thirty-three year old Jennifer Hermoso will remain the focus of the team. A league winner with Barcelona, Rayo Vallecano, and Atletico Madrid, Hermoso would further etch her name in the sport’s lore with a win here to reach the final.
