Team Spain celebrate after winning the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Li Yibo)
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Aug. 15 (silubaba) -- The FIFA Women's World Cup semifinal here on Tuesday witnessed a dramatic last 10 minutes as Olga Carmona scored a late winner to help Spain beat world No. 3 Sweden 2-1.
It is the first time for Spain to reach a FIFA Women's World Cup final.
Carmona curled the ball home on the edge of the box in the 89th minute, just one minute after Swedish substitute Rebecka Blomqvist found the equalizer, following Salma Paralluelo's opener in the 81st minute.
World No. 6 Spain, who qualified for its first Women's World Cup semifinal, controlled most of the first half with 52 percent of ball possession, but failed to create any clear goal-scoring opportunities.
The two-time woman's ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, considered to be the best female player in the world, started for Spain for the first time after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury last July.
Despite having only 31 percent of possession, Sweden almost took lead in the 42nd minute, when Fridolina Rolfo's close range volley was parried by Spainish goalkeeper Cata Coll.
In the 57th minute, Spainish head coach Jorge Vilda replaced Putellas with 19-year-old Paralluelo. The explosive teenager, who came off the bench to score the winning goal against the Netherlands in the quarterfinal extra time, became the game-changer again.
Paralluelo almost delivered an assist in the 70th minute as she sent the ball into goal area, but Alba Redondo's shot couldn't find the back of the net.
Lo Roja finally broke the deadlock with nine minutes into stoppage time when Jenni Hermoso's cross bounced back off Jonna Andersson and Paralluelo swept the ball into the far corner.
Blomqvist levelled for Sweden in the 88th minute thanks to a high cross from fellow substitute Lina Hurtig, but their hope was smashed by Carmona's decisive goal.
Spain will play the winner between Australia and England in the final on Sunday. ■
Aitana Bonmati (L) of Spain competes during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Zhu Wei)
Teresa Abelleira (L) of Spain competes during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Zhu Wei)
Cata Coll (1st R), goalkeeper of Spain, makes a save during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Li Yibo)
Cata Coll (L), goalkeeper of Spain, competes during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Li Yibo)
Lina Hurtig (C) of Sweden shoots during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Li Yibo)
Fridolina Rolfo (R) of Sweden is consoled by Mariona Caldentey of Spain after the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Li Yibo)
Olga Carmona (R) of Spain celebrates scoring during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Guo Lei)
Players of Spain celebrate a goal by Olga Carmona during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Guo Lei)
Team Sweden are seen after the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Li Yibo)
Salma Paralluelo (R) of Spain shoots during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Guo Lei)
Teresa Abelleira (L) of Spain vies with Filippa Angeldal of Sweden during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Zhu Wei)
Alba Redondo (front L) of Spain vies with Elin Rubensson of Sweden during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Zhu Wei)
Players of Sweden celebrate a goal by Rebecka Blomqvist during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Li Yibo)
Aitana Bonmati (R) of Spain vies with Elin Rubensson of Sweden during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Guo Lei)
Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd (L) of Sweden competes during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Guo Lei)
Fridolina Rolfo (2nd L) of Sweden breaks through during the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Guo Lei)
Players of Spain celebrate after winning the semi-final match between Spain and Sweden at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 15, 2023. (silubaba/Zhu Wei)
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