Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Spain has reached the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time by defeating Sweden 2-1 in a thrilling semifinal in Auckland on Tuesday.
Olga Carmona scored the decisive goal in the 89th minute, just before Sweden’s Rebecka Bomqvist scored an equalizer in the 88th minute. Salma Paralluelo had given Spain the lead in the 81st minute.
Sweden had the best chance in the first half. Fridolina Rolfo side-footed Nathalie Bjorn’s lofted cross toward Spain’s goal, three minutes before halftime. However, Spain’s keeper, Cata Coll, was alert and pushed the ball away to safety.
Spain had an opportunity to score with 20 minutes to go in the second half. However, Alba Redondo failed to steer her shot inside the post after beautiful work by Paralluelo.
But Spain didn’t miss another chance. Jenni Hermoso’s cross bounced off Jonna Andersson, but an alert Paralluelo swept the ball home. Sweden leveled the score after seven minutes when Bomqvist found the back of Spain’s net after connecting with Lina Hurtig’s high cross.
Spain took the lead moments later when Carmona scored from the edge of the box following a short corner.
La Roja will now face the winner between Australia and England in its first World Cup final on Sunday.
Spain Coach Jorge Vilda said he was very happy with the result. “We got ahead on the scoreboard and they tied us again. The team overcame it, we scored the winning goal, and now we have enormous happiness,” Spain coach Jorge Vilda said.
Sweden coach Peter Gerharsson said he felt the match would go to extra time after the late equalizer. “It was an enormous feeling that we scored and maybe we would go to extra time. And just over a minute later, it’s turned again. And that can happen,” he added.
(With inputs from FIFA)
