![]() She came off the bench in the team’s last two matches. Putellas ruptured her ACL last summer and has been working her way back to full fitness. Spain’s two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas made her third start of the World Cup. It was La Roja’s first appearance in a major semifinal since the 1997 European Championships. Spain fell to second in its group after a blowout loss to Japan, but rallied to beat Switzerland 5-1 and the Netherlands 2-1 to reach the semifinals. Sweden then got by previously unbeaten Japan 2-1 in the quarterfinals. The Swedes swept their opponents in the group stage before knocking out two-time reigning champion the United States on a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw. Sweden also lost in the semifinals of the Euros last September. “I’m tired of crying big tournament tears,” said Kosovare Asllani. Sweden won silver medals at the Tokyo Olympics two years ago, and at the 2016 Games in Brazil. They were the 2003 runner-up and have finished third three times. “We’ve overcome every challenge and now we face the ultimate challenge, the big one” I think we have to do what we’ve done in every match,” said Paralluelo. Four years ago, La Roja advanced to the knockout round but lost to eventual champions the United States. Spain is playing in only its third World Cup. To be able to repeat is really incredible," Paraluello said. It is something very unique when I scored the first goal. Paralluelo became just the second teenager to score in a Women’s World Cup semifinal after Kara Lang of Canada in 2003, also against Sweden I think everyone just feels sadness and huge disappointment.” It is is the third loss in the semifinals. “I have to watch the game, I really do, before I can make any assessments,” said Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson. Sweden has now lost in four of five semifinals and will try to finish third for a fourth time. “After scoring the first one it was like, ‘OK, this is the end, we have to keep this score.’ But they scored quite fast and I was like, `What the hell happened?' But we had confidence that we could create something else." “It was really, really really crazy," Spanish defender Irene Paredes said. Then, just 90 seconds later, Carmona beat Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic with the game-winner. Rebecka Blomqvist tied it for Sweden in the 88th. She gestured for the crowd to cheer, and the crowd thought it was celebrating Spain's decider.īut the celebration was brief. Salma Paralluelo, the 19-year-old super-sub who also scored the game-winner in Spain’s 2-1 extra-time quarterfinals victory over the Netherlands, scored in the 81st minute to put Spain up 1-0. “And to think that we’re here because we deserve it.”Ĭarmona's goal capped a flurry of late scoring that saw Sweden tie the game, then Spain win it 90 seconds later on the surprise score. “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. He again thanked the federation and its leadership for the support that has Spain one win away from the World Cup. ![]() “We’re in the final, that’s what we wanted.” Now, La Roja has a chance to become a first-time World Cup champion. 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. 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. 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. AUCKLAND – 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.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |