Spain vs Sweden final score, result as Carmona stunner breaks Swedish hearts in Women's World Cup semifinal

Dom Farrell

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Spain vs Sweden final score, result as Carmona stunner breaks Swedish hearts in Women's World Cup semifinal image

Olga Carmona fired a stunning 89th-minute winner as Spain prevailed amid remarkable late drama to beat Sweden 2-1 and reach their first Women's World Cup final.

A listless game almost entirely devoid of goalmouth action came to life inside the final 10 minutes, with teenager Salma Paralluelo coming off the bench to dispatch an opportunistic first-time finish.

Sweden hit back when their own substitutes combined in the 87th minute, Rebecka Blomqvist coolly dispatching Lina Hurtig's knockdown.

But Carmona struck to break Swedish hearts and condemn the Scandinavian country to their third semifinal defeat in the past four World Cups.

Teresa Abelleira played a left-wing corner to Carmona on the edge of the area and Zecira Musovic could only touch the left-back's whipped shot against the underside of her crossbar and in.

Spain vs Sweden final score

  Fulltime Goal scorers
Spain 2 Paralluelo '81, Carmona '89
Sweden 1 Blomqvist '88

Spain (4-3-3 right to left): 23. Cata Coll (GK) — 2. Ona Batlle, 4. Irene Paredes, 14. Laia Codina, 19. Olga Carmona — 6. Aitana Bonmati, 3. Teresa Abelleira, 11. Alexia Putellas (18. Salma Paralluelo) — 17. Alba Redondo (15. Eva Navarro) 10. Jennifer Hermoso, 8. Mariona Caldentey (9. Esther Gonzalez)

Sweden (4-2-3-1 right to left): 1. Zecira Musovic (GK) — 14. Nathalie Bjorn 13. Amanda Ilestedt, 6. Magdalena Eriksson, 2. Jonna Andersson — 16. Filipp Angeldal, 23. Elin Rubensson (8. Lina Hurtig) — 19. Johanna Kaneryd (22. Olivia Schough), 9. Kosovare Asllani, 18. Fridolina Rolfo — 11. Stina Blackstenius (15. Rebecka Blomqvist)

MORE: Have Sweden ever won Women's World Cup? History, record and best finish in FIFA tournament

Paralluelo the difference again

Barcelona star Paralluelo has made a huge case for a start in the final but perhaps Spain coach Jorge Vilda likes her exactly where she is. The 19-year-old entered the fray with 20 minutes of normal time remaining in the quarterfinal against the Netherlands and scored an extra-time winner.

She came on for the returning Alexia Putellas before the hour at Eden Park and had a far greater impact on the contest than the two-time Ballon d'Or winner. Paralluelo's intelligent running and energy instantly changed the dynamic of the contest, forcing Sweden back into their own half. Her finish, capitalising when Jonna Andersson failed to clear Jennifer Hermoso's left-wing cross, was goal-poaching of the highest order.

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Persistence pays off for Carmona

During a tepid first half, Carmona tried to spark the contest into life with a couple of hopeful long-range efforts. Neither troubled Musovic, but it ended up being worth the practice. Only the effervescent Paralluelo (four) had more shots than the Real Madrid full-back's three and she was left to enjoy a career-defining moment.

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Sweden undone by their biggest strength

Much was made of Sweden's set-piece prowess heading into the contest, given eight of their 11 goals in the tournament had come from dead-ball situations. Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll and her defence were not always comfortable when forced to deal with devilish deliveries into their box but did well to restrict Peter Gerhardsson's side to three corners over the course of the contest.

In open play, Sweden's threat was not up to scratch, with Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius forced top feed off scraps before making way for Blomqvist. Even more damagingly, they switched off when it came to their defensive set-piece responsibilities for Carmona's winner.

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Spain vs Sweden as it happened, highlights, and commentary

FULLTIME: IT'S ALL OVER, SPAIN ARE INTO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP FINAL. A torpid game burst into life when Paralluelo came off the bench to break the deadlock nine minutes from time. Sweden's subs Hurtig and Blomqvist then combined to level things up but their joy was short-lived, with Carmona catching out Musovic with a stunning winner.

England or co-hosts Australia await this weekend in the final. From the behind-the-scenes ructions of coach Jorge Vilda falling out with several key players last year to the 4-0 group-stage defeat to Japan, this has been quite the recovery. For the fourth time overall and third time in the past four World Cups, Sweden are beaten in the semifinals. Thanks for joining us!

90th minute+4: More scrambling on the end of a Sweden set-piece. Spain win a soft free-kick as Paredes goes down under a nudge from Eriksson. The Scandinavians are not pleased. Esther Gonzalez coming on for Spain.

90th minute: Seven minutes of stoppage time signalled. Coll down injured again. She's struggling but staying out there. We'll judge the wisdom of that shortly, I guess.

89th minute: GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!! Olga Carmona!!!

Sweden's parity barely lasts at all. Spain have a corner on the left, it breaks to Carmona on the edge of the box. Remember those awful shots she had in the first half? Well, she absolutely creams this one. Musovic gets a touch but can't prevent the shot from flying in via the underside of the crossbar.

88th minute: GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!! Rebecka Blomqvist!!!

Now Sweden's substitutes come to the fore. Hurtig is straight into the action with a knockdown for Blomqvist, who has far too much room. It's still not an easy finish on a bouncing ball but she steers an unerring side-footed finish beyond Coll.

87th minute: Coll is going to try and see this one out. Hurtig comes on for Sweden in place of Rubensson.

86th minute: Potentially a very unwelcome bump in the road for Spain, with goalkeeper Coll down and needing treatment.

84th minute: Sweden pump another ball into the Spain box and Eriksson can't direct her header goalwards. Spain will have to be careful not to give away any more set-piece chances as the clock ticks down. The Netherlands equalised in stoppage time in the quarters, remember.

83rd minute: There was a check for a potential offside in the build-up but Sweden do not get a reprieve.

81st minute: GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!! Salma Paralluelo!!!

The semifinal heroine has done it again! Spain's first shot on target nine minutes from time has broken the deadlock. Sweden fail to clear a Hermoso cross from the left, Andersson the culprit and Paralluelo pounces with a fine first-time finish.

77th minute: The two players involved in that attack make way, with Blomqvist and Schough coming on.

76th minute: Sweden have been forced into defensive shell since Paralluelo's introduction but they get forward now, with Kaneryd whipping in a vicious cross that's just over Blackstenius' head.

73rd minute: That missed sitter - in the most literal sense - is Redondo's final involvement. On comes Eva Navarro.

70th minute: Spain should be in front! The ever-alert Redondo sniffs out a chance in the six yard box, Paralluelo keeps the attack alive and cuts the ball back from the byline. Redondo is prone on the turf but still almost turns home, instead rippling the side netting.

67th minute: Paralluelo has added some much-needed zest to the Spain attack. They have a free-kick in a decent position 25 yards out. Caldentey strikes and the wall does its job.

63rd minute: Asllani slips a pass down the right channel and Kaneryd darts onto it. A low cross whipped back across goal evades everyone.

58th minute: Redondo into the Sweden box. She waits for Hermoso to arrive, then elects to shoot anyway and her effort is blocked.

57th minute: Putellas is done for the evening and on comes her teenage Barcelona teammate Salma Paralluelo, who was Spain's matchwinner against the Netherlands.

55th minute: Blackstenius tries to power around the outside of Paredes. She gets there first but the angle is against her and Coll is able to complete a routine save.

52nd minute: More set piece pressure from Sweden and Spin look increasingly uncomfortable in these situations. Eriksson is penalised for a shove on Coll.

46th minute: Back underway. No changes for either side.

Halftime: Spain have controlled large parts of the contest but have little to show for that in terms of clear chances. Sweden's rally during the closing minutes of the half and that demonstration of their set-piece threat showed that have no reason to be unduly concerned with how this is unfolding. Their tally of 33.3% possession could take a toll on weary legs as this game goes on, of course.

45th minute: One additional minute to be played. Nothing silly.

44th minute: Coll palmed the ensuing corner to safety but now Sweden have another. The Spain goalkeeper is less convincing this time as Andersson drops a delivery under her crossbar. Coll touches the ball close to Blackstenius but her defenders smother the chance.

42nd minute: From nowhere a huge chance for Sweden. Carmona makes a mess of playing out from the left-back area. Bjorn lifts a ball into the box and Rolfo gets around the back of Batlle, smashing a low volley that Coll does very well to turn behind.

40th minute: Five minutes plus any additional to the break. Safe to say this hasn't exactly flown by.

34th minute: It looks like even less of a wise move by Angeldal, who is stood up by Putellas after Sweden partially clear the initial delivery and unceremoniously nutmegged. Eriksson does superbly to clear the cross behind out of the goalmouth. It's another dangerous corner but Sweden survive.

33rd minute: Foolish from Angeldal, who thinks she's fouled by Putellas and slaps the ball on the floor. That's all well and good, but the referee hadn't given anything so that's handball and a free-kick in a good position on the left.

30th minute: Some casual play from Paredes almost has Spain in trouble in their own box. Codina takes a more agricultural approach and wallops the ball out for a throw-in.

28th minute: Hermoso and Redondo converge on a Caldentey cross from the right. Andersson clears the danger.

25th minute: Another cagey spell ends with Spain captain Carmona blootering a bouncing ball way off target from long range. The paucity of clear chances so far means it wasn't really a terrible idea.

21st minute: Lovely play from Bonmati, who chips a ball towards Hermoso in the box. The Spain striker can't get a flick on it and Musovic watches the ball all the way into her gloves.

19th minute: Spain's disciplined high line catches Blackstenius offside and a promising spell of Sweden attacking play comes to an end. Peter Gerhardsson's side struggling to get anything going at the moment.

13th minute: Spain finding their feet now. Nice hold-up play from Hermoso and Carmona sends a drive fizzing wide from outside the box. It looked like a deflection off Eriksson to me but goalkick is the signal.

11th minute: Putellas gets Spain moving through midfield. Nice combination play and a cross to Redondo at the far post. She heads back across goal, a bit of a scramble ensues and Sweden manage to clear their lines.

9th minute: Pretty cagey stuff so far. Spain trying to get into their rhythm in possession but wary of Sweden setting traps. A lot of sparring in the central third at the moment.

4th minute: Sweden turn over possession in the Spain half. Early chance for an opening for Blackstenius but the Arsenal forward is unusually hesitant, cuts back inside and the opportunity is gone.

3rd minute: Caldentey fashions some space on the left wing to cross. Musovic completes a routine take.

1st minute: Sweden get us underway.

5 mins to kickoff: The teams are out. It's anthems time. We'll start with Spain's famously regal instrumental.

15 mins to kickoff: Putellas' return to the side after some time on the bench also offers a reminder of a turbulent time off the field for Spain. Last September, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) sensationally claimed 15 members of the national team would resign from international duty unless head coach Vilda resigned. This was then denied by the players, who said they had been told they would not be considered for selection unless they apologised for their part in a stand-off over Vilda's methods.

Jenni Hermoso and Aitana Bonmati, who both start tonight's game, were among those involved who have been reintegrated. Putellas remains the headline-grabbing star, but her Barcelona team-mates Patri Guijarro, Mapi Leon, Claudia Pina and Sandra Panos remain on the outside looking in.

35 mins to kickoff: So the big news from the Spain team news is two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas returning to the starting XI. The Barcelona superstar has been compromised by her recovery from a knee injury and was one of the players culled by boss Jorge Vilda after the humiliating group-stage defeat to Japan.

But for the big game, arguably the finest player in the world returns to bring her big-game pedigree to the fore. Putellas' inclusion is one of two changes to the team that beat the Netherlands in extra time. Olga Carmona is in at left-back and will captain the side. The suspended Oihane Hernandez and Esther Gonzalez make way.

Alexia Putellas of Spain
Getty Images

55 mins to kickoff: And this is the Sweden side looking to book their weekend tickets to Sydney.

1 hour to kickoff: Here's the Spain starting XI. Enjoy a funky video as you absorb it!

1hr 20 mins to kickoff: Spain's prowess in open play is well documented by they will be wary of Sweden's remarkable capabilities from dead-ball situations. Of the 11 goals scored by Peter Gerhardsson's side in this World Cup, eight have come from set pieces.

1 hr 40 mins to kickoff: Spain are aiming to reach their first World Cup final, with the women's game having exploded at club level back in their homeland over recent years, with Barcelona setting an incredible standard in the Champions League. Sweden are a more long-established incumbent at the top table, although World Cup semifinals have not been their friend.

The 2003 finalists came third in the inaugural edition in 1991 and consolation wins in the bronze medal match were also the sum of their efforts in 2011 and 2019. A 4-0 loss to Englandin the final four of Euro 2021 will have done nothing for fans' sense of foreboding.

2 hours to kickoff: Hello and welcome to the Sporting News' live coverage of the Women's World Cup semifinal between Spain and Sweden. The winners will face either co-hosts Australia or European champions England in the final.

Spain vs Sweden lineups, team news

After their humbling defeat to Japan in the group stages Jorge Vilda showed no mercy as he dropped a host of players from the starting lineup, including goalkeeper Maria Rodriguez, captain Ivana Andres and two time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas. 

But Barcelona superstar Putellas returns here, allowing Jennifer Hermoso to revert to a central attacking role

Esther Gonzalez will most likely lead the line as captain once again. Salma Paralluelo may have played herself back into the starting lineup after scoring the winning goal against the Netherlands from the bench.

Spain starting lineup (4-3-3): 23. Cata Coll (GK) — 2. Ona Batlle, 4. Irene Paredes, 14. Laia Codina, 19. Olga Carmona — 6. Aitana Bonmati, 3. Teresa Abelleira, 11. Alexia Putellas — 8. Mariona Caldentey 10. Jennifer Hermoso 17. Alba Redondo

Unlike their opponents, Sweden have kept a settled lineup throughout the tournament, and are unchanged for the semifinal.

Zecira Musovic will need to have another strong game in goal against a Spain attack capable of quickly overwhelming their opponents, but they have only conceded two goals all tournament, which is a testament to their defensive unit as a whole.

Amanda Ilestadt, part of the solid defence, has made headlines at the other end of the pitch, with the centre-back scoring an incredible four goals at the tournament, making her the equal second-best scorer at the tournament and also highlighting Sweden's threat from set pieces.

Fridolona Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius start in attack once again and will look to get at Spain's defence which has shown vulnerability to the counter-attack.

Sweden starting lineup (4-2-3-1): 1. Zecira Musovic (GK) — 2. Jonna Andersson, 13. Amanda Ilestedt, 6. Magdalena Eriksson, 14. Nathalie Bjorn — 16. Filipp Angeldal, 23. Elin Rubensson — 19. Johanna Kaneryd, 9. Kosovare Asllani, 18. Fridolina Rolfo — 11. Stina Blackstenius

MORE: World Cup attendance tracker

Spain vs Sweden live stream, TV channel

Fans around the world will be able to watch the Spain vs Sweden match, with the semifinal being available to watch on both TV as well as online live streaming options.

  TV channel Streaming
USA FOX Fubo, Fox Sports site/app,
Peacock,
Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (Spanish)
UK BBC One, RTE 2 BBC iPlayer, RTE Player, BBC Sport Web
Australia Optus Sport, Channel Seven Optus Sport, 7Plus
Canada TSN1, TSN 4, TSN 5, RDS, CTV TSN+, RDS app, CTV App, Noovo
India DD Sports FanCode
New Zealand Sky Sport 1 NZ, Prime TV Sky Sport NOW, Prime TV
Singapore FIFA WWC CH01 meWATCH
Hong Kong Now Sports Prime Now Player
Malaysia  — FIFA+

Fans in select regions of the world can stream the Women's World Cup live on FIFA+, including in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand. 

  • Sweden projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1): 1. Musovic (GK) — 14. Bjorn, 13. Ilestedt, 6. Eriksson, 2. Andersson — 16. Angeldal, 23. Rubensson — 19. Kaneryd, 9. Asllani, 18. Rolfo — 11. Blackstenius

Dom Farrell

Dom Farrell Photo

Dom is the senior content producer for Sporting News UK. He previously worked as fan brands editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc. Prior to that, he built more than a decade of experience in the sports journalism industry, primarily for the Stats Perform and Press Association news agencies. Dom has covered major football events on location, including the entirety of Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Paris and St Petersburg respectively, along with numerous high-profile Premier League, Champions League and England international matches. Cricket and boxing are his other major sporting passions and he has covered the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko live from ringside.