Spain beat Sweden in FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinals
Spain defeated Sweden 2-1 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinals at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday, reaching the tournament’s final.
Spain will compete with the winner between, England and Australia for the Women’s World Cup championship at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Sunday.
The sides on Tuesday finished the first half of the game goalless. Spain had a better ball possession, but they were unable to crack the opponents’ box open by attacking on the ground. Sweden worked hard trying to cut the ball in the front field, but Spanish players always stayed alert enough to get the ball back, leaving Sweden no chance to launch a quick offense.
There was only one exception. Spain’ clearance was intercepted in the 40th minute and turned into a cross to the far post by Sweden. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd took Sweden’s only shot in the first half. Though it was blocked by goalkeeper Cata Coll, that was the closest toward a goal for both teams in this half of the game.
Both Spain and Sweden changed their style of attack in the second half as they kept attacking the goal with chipped shots and passes. Swedish players did it in a more direct way by exploiting their height and power advantages. By contrast, Spanish players focused more on second attacks after the ball bounced up from the ground.
Both sides created more threats against the goal via this new attacking method in the second half, but Spain scored first in the 81st minute, shot the ball into Sweden’s goal before a defender could make the block, for her side to lead 1-0.
Spain’s lead didn’t last long. Rebecka Blomqvist, who was sent to the field in the 77th minute, was assisted
Sweden’ happiness became frustration in only one minute. Spain suddenly changed their corner kick attack from the left. Instead of going for the near post in front of the goal, they passed to the open front of the box, where Olga Carmona blew the ball into the goal for her side to lead again.
In five days, Spain will play the first Women’s World Cup Final of their team’s history.
Source(s) & Courtesy: CGTN