An outstanding strike from Olga Carmona fired Spain into their first Girls’s World Cup remaining with a dramatic 2-1 win towards Sweden in Auckland.
For 81 minutes, the sport was a largely cautious affair, with neither facet freely giving many enormous possibilities as a spot in Sunday’s showpiece remaining lay earlier than them.
However a frantic remaining quarter-hour was sparked as 19-year-old substitute Salma Paralluelo (81) turned house. This was matched quickly after as one other substitute, Rebecka Blomqvist (88), curled in a high quality effort to degree for Sweden.
However Spain wasted no time in retaking the lead, doing so by means of captain Carmona. Having seen a few efforts wasted within the first half, she despatched a shocking effort previous Zecira Musovic from vary, in the end sending La Roja into their first main match remaining.
It’s one other heart-breaking close to miss for Sweden. They had been knocked out within the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup and Euro 2022, in addition to ending as runners-up on the 2020 Olympics. They’ll now play within the third-place play-off on Saturday.
How Spain beat Sweden to achieve remaining
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Salma Paralluelo scored the opening aim with Spain’s first shot on the right track
Spain performed the higher soccer within the first half and had the higher of the possibilities. Within the 14th minute, Carmona fired simply vast from vary, having had a harmful cross cleared simply minutes earlier than. Sweden supplied their very own reminder quickly after, however Johanna Rytting Kaneryd made poor contact with the ball because it drifted vast.
Group information headlines
Spain made two adjustments. Alexia Putellas and Olga Carmona got here into the XI with Esther Gonzalez and Oihane Hernandez – who was suspended.
Sweden named an unchanged facet from their knockout video games thus far.
Magda Eriksson wanted to be alert simply after the half an hour as Alexia Putellas fired in a cross from the best flank. Nevertheless, the Bayern Munich defender was there with a glancing header to see the hazard away.
However it was Sweden who had the primary half’s solely shot on the right track. Rytting Kaneryd discovered Frida Rolfo on the again submit, however her swatted effort was pushed away by Barcelona team-mate Catalina Coll.
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Sweden’s Fridolina Rolfo went shut with the one shot on the right track within the first half
The hassle was a potential motive for Sweden’s improved second half displaying, however possibilities the place nonetheless at a premium, with each goalkeepers alert to the hazard. Nevertheless, Spain ought to have gone forward within the seventieth minute.
Alba Redondo’s preliminary effort appeared to be going vast, however some sensible play from Paralluelo noticed her not solely preserve the ball in play, however discovered a seated Redondo contained in the six-yard field. Nevertheless, the Levante ahead tapped her effort simply vast.
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Spain’s Alba Redondo despatched a shot simply vast of the goal within the second half
However the drama was but to come back as spectacular Paralluelo made the breakthrough. Mariona Caldentey’s cross was poorly cleared by Jonna Andersson, discovering the Barcelona teenager. She then made no mistake in slotting house, with a VAR examine for offside additionally handed.
Sweden levelled seven minutes later. Lina Hurtig nodded a cross into Blomqvist’s path, with the ahead smashing an effort previous Coll. It regarded like extra-time was looming, however there was one final twist within the story to come back.
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Olga Carmona celebrates her profitable aim, which despatched Spain into the Girls’s World Cup remaining
Spain instantly received a nook after the restart, with Teresa Abelleira’s supply selecting out Carmona on the high of the world. The Spain captain then lofted a shocking effort previous Musovic, who might solely tip the strike onto the underside of the crossbar because it fell over the road.
Sweden pressed for an additional aim as seven minutes of damage time ticked by, however did little to actually fear Coll or Spain, who will now face Australia or England in Sunday’s remaining in Sydney.
What’s subsequent?
Spain will play Australia or England in Sunday’s remaining in Sydney, with kick-off at 11am.
Sweden will face the losers of the opposite semi-final within the third-place play-off on Saturday in Brisbane, with kick-off at 9am.
What’s the schedule?
The second semi-final between Australia and England takes place on August 16 on the Accor Stadium in Sydney, which is able to then host the ultimate on August 20.
A 3rd-place play-off can be performed the day earlier than the ultimate on August 19 in Brisbane.