Spain defeated Sweden to reach the World Cup final, thanks to goals that sealed their progress. Salma Paralluelo and Olga Carmona stood out as decisive figures in the dramatic win.
Alexia Putellas returned to the starting XI after two substitutions, with Esther Gonzalez stepping aside and Jenni Beautiful taking her place. Olga Carmona, back in the lineup after serving a suspension, replaced Oihane Hernandez while the team shifted to a right-back presence. Sweden lined up with the same shape they used against Japan.
The tactical clash was clear from the start. Spain sought to build patiently through possession, rapid link-ups, and long balls to create space. Sweden pressed relentlessly, relying on compact marking and the pace of Fridolina Rolfö to threaten on the break.
give and take
Neither side could grab the initiative early on. The match unfolded as a tug-of-war, with chances for both teams. Spain had the first clear opportunity from a cross, as Carmona delivered into the box. Yet no Spanish player could convert the set-piece situation into a goal during the opening minutes, despite high-pace movement and several near misses.
Alexia and Aitana provided dynamic support in midfield, while Carmona and Jenni Hermoso combined to stretch Sweden’s defense. Aitana produced several dangerous crosses and found space in transition, but Sweden’s defence held firm as Musovic stayed alert to interruptions and blocked several attempts. The ball moved quickly at times, with Spain probing the channels and attempting to disrupt Sweden’s compact shape.
Rolfö, a dagger
Sweden created danger through Rolfö and her teammates, testing the Spaniards with set pieces and surges into the box. Kungsbacka played with influence, weaving into the penalty area as teammates supported the attack. The Swedish forwards remained sharp, while Walls and Codena provided the cover in defence. The Catalan goalkeeper, from Spain, produced crucial saves to prevent goals that could swing momentum late in the period.
Dead-ball situations became a focal point as Spain’s defenders worked to neutralize Sweden’s threat from corners. Eight of Sweden’s eleven goals in the tournament had come from set plays, so Spain’s marking was intense and disciplined. Walls faced close attention as Aitana and teammates tried to deliver effective crosses that could end in a breakthrough before halftime.
Salma was a hero again
Early in the second half, Spain intensified their pressure with Paralluelo and Alexia pressing from the left, joined by Jenni as the tempo rose. The Aragon-born forward showed pace and skill, lifting the team’s energy and providing opportunities that tested Sweden’s defence. Paralluelo pressed forward with purpose, driving runs that unsettled the Swedish back line and injected pace into Spain’s attacks.
The clearest chance of the moment came when a risky finish followed a moment of individual brilliance. A close-range effort skied over the bar, while another half-chance found its way to the edge of the area, but the finish trickled just wide. The stadium rose in anticipation as the ball skidded across the goal line, underscoring the constant threat from Spain’s attack.
As the clock wound down, Salma Paralluelo created yet another opening by curving into space, with Jenni and Carmona working in tandem along the left side. The ball fell to Zaragoza’s own Zaragozan, whose shot finished narrowly wide from inside the penalty area, leaving the crowd in awe and Eden Park hummed with tension. The moment highlighted Paralluelo’s influence and the persistent search for a breakthrough.
In the final minutes of regulation time, Jenni’s cross from the left found the Swedish defence. The ball bounced loose, and Salma seized the chance with a composed finish that would become a defining moment. The goal opened a path to a historic final, with Paralluelo providing the decisive touch in front of the net.
ultimate madness
The excitement intensified as Sweden quickly equalised, echoing their resolve from earlier rounds. A drive from the flank found Blomqvist at the far edge of the area, who finished with a crisp strike to restore parity. Spain refused to crumble and immediately sought to regain control, pressing with renewed energy and poise.
The decisive moment arrived in a well-crafted sequence. Olga Carmona delivered a precise cross to the winger, who set up Tere Abelleira for a short layoff before the winger fired a powerful shot that struck the crossbar and then the back of the net. The strike capped a performance that will be remembered as the work of a team willing to chase history and seize glory.