Spain beat Sweden 2-1: Carmona fires earns Spanish first Women's World Cup Final 2023
Olga Carmona struck late to lift Spain to a thrilling 2-1 win over Sweden and send the Iberians into their first Women’s World Cup final.
Carmona’s 90th-minute strike from long range pinged off the crossbar and into the goal two minutes after Rebecka Blomqvist had levelled the match for Sweden in front of a baying crowd of 43,217 at Eden Park on Tuesday.
Salma Paralluelo, the quarterfinal hero against the Netherlands, put Spain in the lead with the opening goal in the 81st minute, breathing life into what had been a slow-burning, cagey affair.
Less than a year after a player revolt tore the squad apart, La Roja will have the chance to lift the trophy on Sunday when they face co-hosts Australia or England in the final.
The losers of the second semifinal on Wednesday will face Sweden in the match for third place on Saturday.
Sweden thus bowed out after yet another defeat at the penultimate hurdle, having made the semifinals in France four years ago and also the last four at last year’s European Championship.
It appeared all over for Sweden as regulation time dwindled but Lina Hurtig headed down to an unmarked Blomqvist, who thrashed the ball in.
Carmona broke the deadlock in a late twist, her fierce strike tipped onto the underside of the bar by keeper Zecira Musovic before bouncing down over the line, ensuring Spain create more history at their breakout World Cup.
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