Spain 2-1 Sweden: Olga Carmona stunner sees La Roja into first-ever Women’s World Cup final after goal-laden finale

An incredible denouement saw three goals in the final 10 minutes as Spain won through to the Women’s World Cup final and a match against England or Australia on Sunday.

Teenager Salma Paralluelo seemed to have settled a disappointing match when she put Spain ahead in the 81st minute, but Rebecka Blomqvist found a brilliant equaliser, only for Olga Carmona to restore an advantage that proved decisive.

The first half unfolded in the expected manner, Spain dominating the ball and probing a disciplined and well-organised Swedish defence.

As such, both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances, Carmona shooting just wide and Fridolina Rolfo’s shot – saved by Cata Coll – the closest each side came to breaking the deadlock.

After the break, things got more tense and scrappier, neither side able to fashion goalscoring opportunities nor exert pressure.

Alba Redondo might have put Spain in front after 70 minutes, but couldn’t convert her effort while prostrate.

However, Paralluelo – on as a substitute – was dangerous from the minute she arrived, her touch and pace bothering the Swedish defence, and when the ball fell to her in the box, her finish was unerring and her celebration wild.

Blomqvist, though, soon restored parity only for Carmona to sweep home the winner.

Spain did not play especially well today, more or less shut down by Sweden’s disciplined and physical approach. Their possession game was still slick at points, but they lacked edge around the box and also pace in behind, none of their attackers inclined to gamble.

Until, that is, Salma Paralluelo entered the fray. Immediately, she turned the Swedish defence, a fine touch backed by searing pace changing the tenor of the game, and her opening goal was supremely taken, a difficult finish made to look easy and natural – under pressure.

Consequently, Jorge Vida has a decision to make. Paralluelo must surely start the final, but Jenni Hermoso improved when played behind her, sending over the cross that led to her side’s first goal and generally playing well enough to cement her spot too. So Vilda must find someone to leave out and, though she remains the double Ballon d’Or winner, perhaps it will be Alexia Putellas who, one gorgeous nutmeg aside, struggled to affect the game as she continues her comeback from injury.

Salma Paralluelo (Spain): Changed the game when she came on, upping the tempo and scoring a fine goal.

Spain: Coll 7, Batlle 6, Paredes 6, Codina 6, Carmona 7, Abelleira 6, Putellas 4, Bonmati 6, Redondo 6, Hermoso 7, Caldentey 6. Subs: Paralluelo 8, Navarro 6, Gonzalez 6.

Sweden: Musovic 5, Bjorn 6, Ilestedt 6, Eriksson 7, Andersson 6, Angeldal 5, Rubensson 5, Kaneryd 6, Asslani 6, Rolfo 6, Blackstenius 5. Subs: Blomqvist 8, Schough 6, Hurtig 7.

14’ – IT’S ALL SPAIN NOW!
Bonmati moves through midfield then Hermoso holds up and finds Batlle, who sets Carmona for a shot from the edge … that whizzes just wide of the post.

34’ – REDONDO LOOKS FOR PAREDES AT THE BACK POST
But she’s surrounded by a phalanx of defenders and the ball goes away. No matter: Putellas collects it, megs Angeldal on the edge – Angeldal does everything she can to foul her without fouling her – and she lashes a cross that she hopes Hermoso will poke home, but there’s too much pace on it, so Musovic punches clear.

70’ – BUT WHAT’S THIS!
Spain feed Hermoso down the left, she arcs over a terrific cross, and though Redondo can’t reach it on the slide, Salma does brilliantly to stretch a long leg around the ball and guide it back into the middle where, from lying on the ground, Redondo can only shin wide of the near post. That was the clearest sight of goal this half.

81’ – GOAL! Spain 1-0 Sweden (Paralluelo) OUT OF NOTHING! Paralluelo has made a difference with her pace and touch and when Hermoso curves in another decent cross, Eriksson takes it away from Navarro but the ball drops for Salma, whose first-time finish, expertly slotted right-footed from 12 yards and on the backpeddle, sees Spain hit the front! 19 years old, what a moment, and doesn’t she enjoy it!

88’ – GOAL! Spain 1-1 Sweden (Blomqvist) Eighty minutes without a goal, now two in eight, and this time it’s a Sweden sub who makes it happen! A cross into the box is shouldered down by Hurtig, just on off the bench herself, and 15 yards out, Blomqvist adjusts feet beautifully to address a bouncing ball, opening her body and hitting a glorious finish into the far side-netting! Suddenly, we’ve got ourselves a football match!

90’ – OH MY COMPLETE AND UTTER DAYS! GOAL! Spain 2-1 Sweden (Carmona) Abelleira takes the corner short and Carmona, the skipper, who’s been her side’s most enterprising player, tries an outswinging chip that Musovic should save, the keeper can only impart fingertips to ball, which clips the underside of the bar and bounces down over the line! WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON?! FOOTBALL IS GOING ON!

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