Spain makes first ever Women’s World Cup final with 2-1 win

Another international football tournament, another case of Swedish heartbreak.

Tuesday’s semifinal exit to Spain marked the fourth time this has happened to the Blågult at this stage at World Cups. Add on the nation losing the 2003 World Cup final and two silver medals in the past two Olympic Games and Sweden has become the specialist in international tournament disappointment.

And for some of the team’s longest tenured players, it is all building up.

“I’m so tired of crying championship tears,” team captain Kosovare Asllani said in a post-game interview according to Reuters, wiping tears from her eyes throughout.

“I don’t think people understand the energy and the passion that is behind this. It really sucks, we dreamed of a World Cup final.

“I’m so proud of this team, where we are today and how we have performed in this tournament. We deserved to be in the final, but that’s how football is.”

Sweden’s time at this Women’s World Cup isn’t over yet, despite the team’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the semifinal on Tuesday.

The Blågult will now play in the third-place playoff, often referred to as the one match nobody wants to play, which is contested by the two losing semifinalists.

The games takes place on Saturday and Sweden will face the loser of Wednesday’s semifinal clash between Australia and England.

The third-place playoff has been a fixture at every Women’s World Cup since the inaugural edition in 1991.

In that game, Brazilian referee Claudia Vasconcelos made history by becoming the first female official to referee a FIFA World Cup match.

You can read more about how Vasconcelos made unexpectedly made history here.

It’s been quite the summer of sport between Australia and England.

First, the Ashes took place in cricket – with Australia coming out on top in both the men’s and women’s formats.

A few weeks later, Australia beat its English counterpart in the final of the Netball World Cup.

And on Wednesday, the two will once again do battle, this time in the semifinal of the Women’s World Cup.

Both are on magical runs, with Australia pushed on by its home crowd while England has continued its success under Sarina Wiegman following victory at the Women’s Euros last year.

The Matildas are gradually recovering captain and all-time topscorer Sam Kerr back from injury, as she has played progressively more as the tournament has gone on, while also getting key contributions from other role players.

On the other hand, England has been effective if not emphatic in its run to the semifinal, with narrow victories becoming the norm. The team is likely though to feel the absence of Lauren James, who will serve the second match of her two-game suspension on Wednesday after she was sent off for stepping on the back of Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie during the round-of-16 game at Brisbane Stadium.

With fascinating tactical and personal battles across the pitch, Wednesday’s semifinal – with both looking for their first ever Women’s World Cup final spot – to set up a clash against Spain should be a thrilling watch.

Leading figures in Spain – in the world of sport and beyond – have been reveling in La Roja’s historic victory over Sweden.

Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, sent his congratulations to the national team for reaching the Women’s World Cup final for the first time in history.

“To the final!” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Spain’s men’s World Cup winner Andrés Iniesta called the players “giants,” while two-time grand slam winner Garbiñe Muguruza wrote after the match: “Let’s keep going!!”

Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas also sent his congratulations, writing: “Bravo!!! Proud of this team of women football players with class, heart and faith in themselves. Thank you!!!”

Spain sensation Salma Paralluelo is quickly getting used to the big stage.

After scoring the winner in extra-time of the quarterfinal against the Netherlands, the 19-year-old was on the scoresheet once again in the semifinal against Sweden.

Paralluelo broke the deadlock with a brilliant finish into the bottom corner with just nine minutes remaining. Her goal looked like it would be the winner, but Sweden drew level just seven minutes later.

However, it took Spain just two minutes to regain the lead as Olga Carmona’s long-range effort looped in off the crossbar.

“Once again, loads of emotion just like the last match,” Paralluelo said after the semifinal.

When asked what she was thinking about when standing on the pitch as the full-time whistle blew, Paralluelo replied: “My family, everyone that supports me, in them [the players], we deserved it. We’ve taken this little step, and now, we’ve got one more big push.

“We’ve just got the final left, we need to keep doing what we’ve been doing every match.

“We’ve been going from one challenge to another and now we have the last one – the big one – and we’re going to work hard to do it.”

Auckland has turned red with Spain’s semifinal victory and subsequent qualification for the Women’s World Cup final.

The players dropped to the floor upon the full-time whistle, with many breaking into tears of joy.

Their emotions are well-earned after what has been a tough journey for the whole squad, filled with highs and lows.

The issues began even prior to the tournament’s start, when 15 players declared themselves unavailable for selection in September last year, citing their emotional and physical health and an unappreciation of them, primarily focused on the practices of head coach Jorge Vilda.

The Spanish federation (RFEF) chose to stand behind Vilda and six players – including two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas – eventually reversed their decisions, but the saga left in its wake a fractured group of players; albeit a talented one.

Despite the noise surrounding preparations for the World Cup, the Spanish players showed no signs of being bogged down in their opening two group games, blowing past both Costa Rica and Zambia, scoring eight and conceding none.

However, in its final game in the group stage, a warning was shot across La Roja’s bow as it was stunned 4-0 by Japan in one of the performances of the tournament, sending shockwaves throughout the competition.

When it appeared that its Women’s World Cup hopes might be teetering on the edge, Spain – with Putellas coming off the bench while coming back from a dreaded ACL injury – found its feet again, comfortably beating Switzerland in the round-of-16 and advancing to its first ever semifinal thanks to a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands, with teenager Salma Paralluelo scoring the decisive goal in extra time.

This semifinal victory over Sweden has epitomized Spain’s run throughout the tournament, filled with high-quality attacking but also looking susceptible in defense. La Roja managed to get over the line though, booking its ticket for Sunday’s final in Sydney against either Australia or England.

What a game and what a finish. La Roja looked the better side throughout the match and it’s rewarded with a ticket to its first ever Women’s World Cup final.

An opening goal from Salma Paralluelo gave Spain a late lead with just under 10 minutes to play, but Sweden found an equalizer through Rebecka Blomqvist just minutes later.

Olga Carmona then scored what turned out to be the decisive goal in the 90th minute and sent Spain to the final with a powerful finish past Zećira Mušović from the edge of the box.

A dramatic ending to a pulsating victory and you can see what it means in the players’ and coaching staff’s faces.

Spain now faces either Australia or England in Sunday’s final.

Spain looks to have booked its spot in the Women’s World Cup final with a spectacular effort from Olga Carmona on the stroke of the 90th minute.

Just minutes after conceding, Spain is ahead once again thanks to Carmona’s left-footed from the edge of the box, with the ball cannoning off the bar into the ground and then into the back of the net, sparking wild scenes of celebration.

It’s 2-1 with just added time to go now.

Sweden draws level against Spain with just three minutes of regulation time remaining!

Lina Hurtig did brilliantly to get her head on the ball and nod it back into the box, where substitute Rebecka Blomqvist was arriving to guide the ball unerringly into the top corner.

What a finish we’ve got here in Auckland!

Spain takes a late 1-0 lead as quarterfinal hero Salma Paralluelo fires home with just under 10 minutes remaining.

She’s been brilliant since coming on midway through the second half and the teenager has gotten her reward with a late goal.

A scramble in the Swedish box ends with the ball falling to Paralluelo’s feet and she slams her right-footed effort into the bottom corner to give La Roja a late lead.

Spain is just minutes away from a first ever Women’s World Cup final.

Spain creates perhaps the best chance of the match but is unable to capitalize!

More excellent passing down the left flank frees Jennifer Hermoso, who puts in a brilliant cross into the box.

Maria Redondo gets two bites of the cherry inside the six-yard box, but is unable to find the back of the net.

So close to an opener, but we remain 0-0 in Auckland.

Spain and Sweden’s Women’s World Cup semifinal is now at the 60-minute mark, but there’s still nothing to separate these two teams.

It’s been even and fairly cagey in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, with both sides creating half-chances but nothing to really trouble either goalkeeper.

The Blågult will at least be happy it has already ventured further into Spain’s half of the pitch in this second period than it did in all of the first.

Alexia Putellas, Spain’s talismanic midfielder, was replaced by Salma Paralluelo, the match winner in the quarterfinal against the Netherlands, just before the hour mark.

Spain gets us going again in Auckland with nothing to separate La Roja and Sweden at the halftime break.

With a spot in Sunday’s final on the line against Australia or England – they play on Wednesday in Sydney – it is all on the line with 45 minutes, plus possibly extra time and penalties, to come.

It’s been pretty much all Spain for the opening 45 minutes of the tournament’s first semifinal, but the Iberians haven’t been able to find the breakthrough, with La Roja and Sweden heading to half-time with the scores level at 0-0.

Spain has looked neat and tidy with the ball, dominating possession and having the majority of the chances, but has failed to really capitalize on any of them.

Crosses from both sides have caused Sweden some issues but between a combination of fortunate bounces and last-ditch defensive touches, the Blågult has managed to hold on.

Fridolina Rolfö came closest for Sweden, bringing a save from Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll just before half-time.

Despite the lack of goals, it’s been an engrossing first half and if it’s more of the same after the break, we’re in for a treat.

It took over 40 minutes, but we’ve finally had the first shot on target of the game.

It comes against the run of play, with Sweden managing to sustain some pressure on the Spanish goal.

A hopeful cross into the box finds its way to Fridolina Rolfö at the back post and her left-footed effort is palmed away by Cata Coll in the Spanish goal.

It’s a big chance for Sweden, but the score remains 0-0.

The first semifinal has reached the 30-minute mark and it’s been all Spain so far, as Sweden just can’t get to grips with its opponent’s crisp passing and incisive movement.

There’s still a long way to go in this match, but it’s been an impressive start for La Roja against the favorite.

Spain has been passing the ball around very well inside the opening 15 minutes.

After some neat build-up play down the left flank, Maria Redondo latches onto a cross at the far post and puts the ball back into a dangerous area.

There is some hesitancy in the Sweden defense, but the team eventually manages to get the ball away.

A long-range effort from Spain’s Olga Carmona then flashes wide of the post, but doesn’t trouble Zećira Mušović in the Sweden goal.

Sweden has yet to get a foothold in this game.

The crowd counts down from 10 and Sweden kicks off to begin the first semifinal of this Women’s World Cup.

A lot on the line today as the winner makes the World Cup final against either Australia or England. If La Roja makes the final, it will be its first ever. If the Blågult do it, it will be their second.

Let’s see what happens in New Zealand!

The light show has begun, the flames are firing around the edge of the pitch and the fans are packed in.

That can only mean one thing – we’re moments away from seeing the Women’s World Cup semifinal between Spain and Sweden.

And here come the players and officials, getting ready for the anthems.

The big team news is that Spain’s two-time Ballon d’Or Féminin winner, Alexia Putellas, returns to the starting line-up having come off the bench in its previous two games.

La Roja has been electric in many of its games this tournament, but it comes up against a stout Sweden defense and a keeper – Zećira Mušović – who has been a force in the Blågult goal.

It will be a fascinating semifinal.

Spain starting 11:

Goalkeeper: Catalina Coll

Defense: Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, Olga Carmona

Midfield: Aitana Bonmatí, Teresa Abelleira, Alexia Putellas

Forwards: Alba Redondo, Jennifer Hermoso, Mariona Caldentey

Sweden starting 11:

Goalkeeper: Zećira Mušović

Defense: Nathalie Björn, Amanda Ilestedt, Magdalena Eriksson, Jonna Andersson

Midfield: Filippa Angeldahl, Kosovare Asllani (captain), Elin Rubensson

Forwards: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Stina Blackstenius, Fridolina Rolfö

After knocking out both the US and Japan, Sweden is now a major contender for the title and Amanda Ilestedt seems to be its secret weapon.

The defender was named Player of the Match against Japan in the quarterfinals after scoring her team’s opening goal, but it’s by no means her first of the tournament.

The Arsenal star has now scored four goals at the World Cup and is just one behind current leading scorer Hinata Miyazawa.

Another goal against Spain in the next round and we could seriously be talking about a defender possibly being named the tournament’s top scorer.

Yet another thing about this tournament being unpredictable and can’t miss.

Japan’s late goal in the quarterfinals marked just the second time that Sweden and goalkeeper Zećira Mušović have conceded in this tournament.

The shot-stopper has been central to the Blågult’s run to the semifinals, particularly against the US when she produced a heroic performance and made 11 saves. Since records began in 2011, that was the most saves in a single game at the Women’s World Cup for a goalkeeper who kept a clean sheet, according to Sky Sports.

With her club team, Chelsea, Mušović has to vie with Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger for game time, but this World Cup has offered her the chance to seize the limelight and demonstrate her true capabilities.

The 27-year-old was born to Serbian parents who had escaped the war in their home country. She preferred table tennis to soccer in her youth, according to FIFA, but quickly felt at home in the latter when she switched from being an outfielder to a goalkeeper aged 12.

Fast-forward 15 years and Mušović is now preparing to face Spain for a spot in the World Cup final — a feat Sweden has achieved just once before in 2003.

After two thrilling quarterfinals games and two identical scorelines, Spain and Sweden became the first two teams in the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup.

In Spain’s quarterfinal match, La Roja needed extra-time to defeat the Netherlands 2-1 and reach the final four for the first time in its history.

Mariona Caldentey’s penalty after a VAR-reviewed handball decision looked to have won the match for the Iberians with just nine minutes remaining, but the Dutch leveled when Stefanie van der Gragt – whose handball had gifted La Roja its penalty – drilled home a brilliant effort in the first minute of added time.

In a tense period of extra-time, teenage substitute Salma Paralluelo struck the winner after 111 minutes with a left-footed effort off the inside of the far post to make history for Spain.

Read more about that here.

Sweden beat Japan in the quarters 2-1 thanks to defender Amanda Ilestedt’s fourth goal of the tournament and Filippa Angeldal’s second-half penalty.

Riko Ueki missed a penalty late on for Japan, but Honoka Hayashi’s goal with three minutes of regulation time remaining ensured a heart-pounding finish.

Sweden held on, though, and will now face Spain in the country’s fifth World Cup semifinal appearance on Tuesday.

Read more about that game here.

Spain takes on Sweden Tuesday in the first seminal match at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Australia and England will meet in the other semifinal match Wednesday.

The victors in these clashes will face off Sunday in the World Cup final!

Here’s the schedule for the World Cup semis: