LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Spain defeated Sweden 2-1 in overtime to go to the Women’s World Cup final for the first time thanks to Olga Carmona’s late goal.
Salma Paralluelo of Spain scored for the second game in a row following Jonna Andersson’s shoddy clearing, capping up a cagey first 80 minutes in which neither team could muster many clear-cut opportunities.
After scoring in extra time to take Spain through against the Netherlands in the quarterfinal, it appeared like the 19-year-old had won it once again.
However, the Swedes responded in the 88th minute when replacement Rebecka Blomqvist curled a beautiful finish into the goal.
But 60 seconds later, Spain scored the game-winning goal when a fast corner caught Peter Gerhardsson’s squad off guard.
Real Madrid player Carmona’s effort from the edge of the box smacked against the underside of the bar and past goalkeeper Zecira Musovic.
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Spain is currently one game away from World Cup triumph, just a few weeks after suffering a crushing 4-0 defeat to Japan.
In the previous two games, Paralluelo has been a revelation off the bench, and her cutting edge was crucial in ensuring Spain’s advancement to the final. She is demonstrating on the largest platform that she is a big-match player.
Spain punished Sweden for dozing off just after they had late-game leveled the game.
Carmona made a terrific shot, but Musovic might have performed better, which ultimately made the difference.
On 20 August, the Mexican national team will play either England or the World Cup hosts, Australia.
Their march to the final is all the more astonishing in light of the fact that less than a year ago, 15 of Spain’s players protested his retention as head coach over concerns he negatively harmed their “health and emotional state” by refusing to let them go.