Spain 2-1 Sweden
AUCKLAND, NZL–It all happened in the final ten minutes before yet another record soccer crowd at Eden Park. A match that was 0-0 for 81 minutes suddenly had three goals in the next eight and Spain defeating Sweden, 2-1, going to their first Women’s World Cup Final while Sweden go to their third Third Place Game in four World Cups.
Salma Paralluelo put La Roja up in the 81st minute taking advantage of a loose ball in the box. Then, Sweden would equalize in the 88th minute after Rebecka Blomqvist beating Cata Coll far post. However, one minute later, Olga Carmona took a corner kick from outside the box and shot it just underneath the crossbar and out of the reach of Zecira Musovic.
It’s an agonizing defeat for Sweden who for the third time in four World Cups, lose in the semifinals and head once again to the third place game.
“I know those setbacks will fuel me to become even better,” said Musovic. “We still have a medal to play for. It’s hard to think about that medal today because I’m so freaking disappointed. But tomorrow is a new day, a new opportunity, and I will do everything I can to be able to help the team take the bronze medal.”
As for Spain, whose World Cup preparations were marked by dissension between several players and coach Jorge Vilda, they are now just one win away from becoming just the second nation to win both a Men’s and a Women’s World Cup alongside Germany (who have won four Men’s and two Women’s World Cups).
“This is a historic day,” said Vilda. “We’re in the final, that’s what we wanted.”
He again thanked the federation and its leadership for the support that has Spain one win away from the World Cup.
“The end result is a learning process which has made us all stronger in my opinion, and to leave it archived in the past and think about the future,” Vilda said through a translator. “And to think that we’re here because we deserve it.”
