Football – The meeting was only unlocked in the final minutes
A tense end to the match but Spain qualified for the first World Cup final in its history, beating Sweden (2-1) on Tuesday in Auckland. With a powerful strike in the 90th minute, Spanish defender Olga Carmona knocked out the Swedes who had equalized a few seconds earlier, by Rebecka Blomqvist (88th).
Padlocked for a long time, the match was unlocked in a last quarter of an hour of madness, following the goal of Salma Paralluelo (81st), the Spanish “supersub” already decisive in the previous round. La Roja’s offensive strength got the better of the tournament’s co-best defense, surprised by the turn of events, in the New Zealand rain which dashed their hopes.
A final against Australia or England
Spain, who were playing in their first World Cup semi-final, remain in contention for a title that would crown their change in status from emerging nation to established power. Aitana Bonmati’s teammates thwarted the odds, despite tensions behind the scenes linked to the methods deemed divisive by coach Jorge Vilda, who suffered the revolt of fifteen internationals last year who no longer wanted to play under his orders.
One of the youngest selections of the tournament will face, on Sunday in Sydney, Australia or England, two other countries in search of a first star(…) Read more at 20minutes
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