Women’s World Cup Daily: Spain seal final spot over Sweden

The 2023 Women’s World Cup is in full swing, and these daily files give you the latest reporting from around the tournament as well as betting lines, what-to-watch-for information and best reads. Check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from Australia and New Zealand.

The lead: Spain seal final spot over Sweden

AUCKLAND — On a cold and wet night in New Zealand, Spain sealed a place in their first-ever World Cup final with a dramatic 2-1 win over experienced Sweden.

The Swedes, in their fifth World Cup semifinal, had allowed only two goals in their five games leading up to the match. In the first half, they remained their stubborn selves, refusing to give up a goal in the first 45 minutes for a fifth match running, and dared Spain to do more with the ball. Elin Rubensson’s perfectly timed tackles helped avoid danger at the back, but their loose passes in attack stifled their ability to get at La Roja.

But in the 57th minute, coach Jorge Vilda changed the complexion of the Spain attack, with Salma Paralluelo brought on in place of Alexia Putellas. And it worked, with her immediate intervention enough to tee Alba Redondo up to send a shot into the side netting.

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Having opened the scoring in the quarterfinals against Netherlands in the 81st minute, Spain did the same again when the impressive Paralluelo stroked the ball into the bottom corner with the team’s first shot on target.

However, there was still plenty of time for drama as Sweden’s own super-sub Lina Hurtig got an important touch to knock the ball into Rebecka Blomqvist’s path for the striker to fire home an 88th-miunte equaliser.

The celebrations lasted only a minute. After a short corner routine was worked to her outside the box Olga Carmona, who had been chancing her luck from range all evening, launched the ball over goalkeeper Zećira Musovic and off the underside of the bar. Sweden looked to…