FIFA Women’s World Cup: Spain beats Sweden to reach 1st final
Global News
Spain will play for its first Women's World Cup championship after Olga Carmona's goal in the 89th minute lifted La Roja to a 2-1 victory over Sweden in Tuesday's semifinal.
Spain will play for its first Women’s World Cup championship after Olga Carmona’s goal in the 89th minute lifted La Roja to a 2-1 victory over Sweden in the Tuesday semifinal.
Spain, which overcame last year’s near mutiny by its players against coach Jorge Vilda, will play the winner of tournament co-host Australia and England on Sunday in the final in Sydney.
The controversy surrounding Spain dates to last September, when 15 players signed a letter complaining about Vilda and the conditions for the the national team. Three of those players are on this World Cup team, and Vilda a day before the game against Sweden praised the Spanish federation for its support.
Now, La Roja has a chance to become a first-time World Cup champion.
Ranked sixth in the world by FIFA, Spain’s defeat of third-ranked Sweden makes it the second highest-ranked team remaining in the tournament behind only England. The Lionesses are ranked fourth in the world.
“This is a historic day,” said Vilda. “We’re in the final, that’s what we wanted.”
Sweden has now lost in four of five semifinals and will play try to finish third for a fourth time.
“I have to watch the game, I really do, before I can make any assessments,” said Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson. “Right now I am full of emotions. It is is the third loss in the semifinals. I think everyone just feels sadness and huge disappointment.”