Olga Carmona shines when it counts! The Real Madrid star’s clutch performance propelled Spain into the Women’s World Cup final, leaving Sweden devastated by a late heartbreak.
Securing Spain’s historic spot in the final, Olga Carmona’s last-minute winner secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Sweden during a tense contest.
- Spain triumphs 2-1 over Sweden in semi-final clash
- Secures debut appearance in World Cup final
- Late dramatic moments feature Carmona and Paralluelo as scorers
The first 80 minutes saw cautious play from both sides, with few clear opportunities.
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In a critical moment, Spain’s substitute Salma Paralluelo struck for the second consecutive match, capitalizing on a hasty clearance by Jonna Andersson to confidently slot the ball into the corner.
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Seemingly destined to be the match-winner once again, the 19-year-old had previously netted in extra time against the Netherlands in the quarter-final.
However, Sweden retaliated in the 88th minute as substitute Rebecka Blomqvist executed a precise curling finish to level the score.
Yet, Spain quickly snatched victory back just 60 seconds later.
A rapid corner caught Peter Gerhardsson’s squad off guard, allowing Real Madrid’s star Carmona to fire a shot from the edge of the box.
Her strike ricocheted off the underside of the bar and past goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, securing the decisive goal.
Following a resounding 4-0 loss to Japan only weeks earlier, Spain’s astonishing journey now places them on the cusp of World Cup glory, with just one game separating them from ultimate triumph.
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Salma Paralluelo’s impact as a substitute in the last two matches has been nothing short of astonishing, her sharpness being the linchpin in Spain’s advancement to the final.
Her ability to perform on the grandest stage solidifies her reputation as a player who thrives under pressure.
Sweden’s lapse in focus after equalizing proved costly, as Spain capitalized on the opportunity.
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While Carmona’s strike was commendable, Musovic could have done better, and this ultimately proved to be the deciding factor.
Amidst the jubilant celebrations, Spain’s journey takes them to the final on August 20, where they will face either England or the host nation, Australia, for the World Cup title.
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The significance of Spain’s march to the final is amplified by the fact that less than a year ago, 15 players from the team had resigned in protest over their head coach’s position, alleging detrimental effects on their physical and emotional well-being.
