AUCKLAND (AFP) ˗ Defender Olga Carmona conjured up “a work of art” to send Spain into its first Women’s World Cup final in history on Tuesday, Aug. 15, and a clash with Australia or England.
The skipper capped a frenetic ending to the semifinal at Eden Park in Auckland with a rocket to give Spain a thrilling 2-1 victory over Sweden.
Proceedings seemed to be meandering towards extra time before suddenly bursting to life when substitute Salma Paralluelo put Spain ahead with nine minutes left.
Rebecka Blomqvist equalized in the 88th minute only for full-back Carmona to score with a superb shot in off the underside of the crossbar from the edge of the box 60 seconds later.
“We knew it would be a really demanding game mentally,” Spain coach Jorge Vilda said.
“But they showed they were prepared because in the last minute Olga appeared to produce the work of art she did to take us through.”
Spain’s place in Sunday’s final in Sydney is a remarkable journey for a nation who had never previously gone beyond the last 16 at a Women’s World Cup.
And for Vilda it is vindication.
Fifteen Spanish players told their federation last September that they no longer wished to be considered for selection, mainly out of unhappiness with Vilda and his methods.
Only three of them returned for this World Cup but Spain have barely noticed their absence.
Vilda said the turmoil that had threatened to torpedo Spain’s Women’s World Cup before it had even begun “made all of us stronger”.
“Now we can file it away and put it behind us and think about the future, and think that we deserve to be where we are,” he said.
While Spain’s dream of World Cup glory remains alive, Sweden is left with a familiar feeling after going so far at another major tournament before falling short.
This is the third time in four World Cups that they it reached the semifinals, only to lose on each occasion.
Peter Gerhardsson’s side also lost in the last four at the European Championship last year, having been beaten in the final of the Tokyo Olympics on penalties against Canada in 2021.
“Everyone just feels sadness and huge disappointment,” said Gerhardsson.
