Spain, which lost to Japan in the group stage, advanced to its first-ever Women’s World Cup final by knocking out Sweden, which eliminated Japan in the quarterfinals.
Spain came from behind to defeat Sweden 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the Australia-New Zealand Women’s World Cup 2023 on Friday at Eden 안전놀이터 Park in Auckland, New Zealand, after trading three goals in the final 10 minutes. It was the first-ever World Cup final for Spain, who had reached the round of 16 in their third appearance at the tournament.
Spain, ranked sixth in the FIFA Women’s Rankings, also won its first game in 12 matches against third-ranked Sweden, improving its all-time record to 1-4-7. The Spaniards will go for their first title on Saturday against the winner of the Australia-England quarterfinal.
After falling to Japan 0-4 in the group stage, Spain defeated Costa Rica (3-0) and Zambia (5-0) in their previous two matches to finish second in the group behind Japan, and went on to beat Switzerland (5-1) in the round of 16 and the Netherlands (2-1) in the quarterfinals. Sweden defeated Japan 2-1 in the quarterfinals to reach the semifinals. A bitey relationship was created between Spain, Japan, and Sweden.
The first half was dominated by Spain. Sweden countered with a counterattack and stepped up their offense early in the second half. Spain brought on Salma Parajuelo, who scored the game-winner against the Netherlands, 12 minutes into the second half. The game changed dramatically in the final minutes. In the 36th minute, Farahuelo scored the game-winner. A cross was cleared off the line and Farahuelo, who was in front of the goal area, struck a right-footed ground ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
Spain’s celebration was short-lived. Seven minutes later, Rebecca Blomkvist was beaten by a right-footed volley from Lina Hurtig’s header pass. Sweden’s celebration was even shorter. A minute later, Olga Carmona met a corner kick from Spain’s Teresa Aveira with a right-footed mid-range shot that hit the underside of the crossbar and trickled inside the goal to seal the win.