Olga Carmona struck late to carry Spain to an exhilarating 2-1 win over Sweden on Tuesday and ship the Iberians into a primary Ladies’s World Cup remaining.
Carmona’s Ninetieth-minute strike from long-range pinged off the crossbar and into the aim two minutes after Rebecka Blomqvist had levelled the match for Sweden in entrance of a baying crowd of 43,217 at Eden Park.
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Salma Paralluelo, the quarterfinal hero in opposition to the Netherlands, put Spain within the lead with the opening aim within the 81st minute, respiration life into what had been a slow-burning, cagey affair.
Lower than a 12 months after a participant revolt tore the squad aside, ‘La Roja’ could have the prospect to carry the trophy on Sunday after they face co-hosts Australia or England within the championship match.
Sweden bow out after one other defeat on the penultimate hurdle, having made the semifinals in France 4 years in the past and in addition the final 4 finally 12 months’s European Championship.
In a match-up of Iberian attacking aptitude and Swedish defensive resilience, Spain have been the livelier facet early however had little to point out for his or her possession and vigour.
Full again Carmona blazed simply vast with a low, long-range effort within the 14th minute and midfield dynamo Aitana Bonmatí thrashed a wild shot by the identical proper put up from the sting of the world.
Sweden barely wavered in defence, although, and completed the half ascendant with a typical salvo of set-piece stress.
A couple of minutes from the break, Spain have been dealt a fright as Nathalie Björn chested the ball down and crossed to an unmarked Fridolina Rolfö within the space.
However the Sweden winger’s volley was effectively coated by keeper Cata Coll.
Sweden saved up the warmth and Jorge Vilda went to his bench early, changing Alexia Putellas with Paralluelo, who had scored the winner in opposition to the Dutch within the quarter-final.
Paralluelo nearly helped break the impasse within the seventieth minute when she saved the ball alive with a cut-back go to Alba Redondo in shut.
Slumped on the turf, Redondo swung a leg out however may solely put her shot into the facet netting.
Eleven minutes later Paralluelo pounced once more on a poor clearance, slamming the ball into the proper nook to ship Spanish followers into delirium.
It appeared throughout for Sweden as regulation time dwindled however Lina Hurtig headed all the way down to an unmarked Blomqvist, who thrashed the ball in.
However Carmona broke the impasse in a late twist, her fierce strike tipped onto the underside of the bar by goalkeeper Zecira Musovic earlier than bouncing down over the road, making certain Spain create extra historical past at their breakout World Cup.
