Spain vs Sweden FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Highlights | Spain advance into the finals of the Women's World Cup after defeating Sweden 2-1 in dramatic fashion

The game Spain vs Sweden had everything in it, beautiful goals, late drama, joyful celebrations but it ended in jubilation for Spain and agony for Sweden. The game was an equal contest with both the teams experiencing little to no chances in the game, until Spain broke the deadlock, then it became kind of open and 2 more goals followed from each side giving us a dream ending to a great match. It was Spain who won with a 2-1 margin and advanced into their first ever final match of the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Read also: FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Australia vs England Match Preview, team news, possible lineups, and every detail

Match Information

Date : 15 August, 2023

Venue : Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand

Time : GMT – 8:00 pm IST – 1:30 pm

Match Officials

Referee: Edina Alves

Assistant Referee 1: Neuza Back

Assistant Referee 2: Leila Cruz

4th Official: Melissa Borjas

VAR: Nicolas Gallo

Assistant VAR 1: Armando Villarreal

Assistant VAR 2: Felisha Mariscal

Assistant VAR 3: Juan Soto

Spain vs Sweden Match Report

First Half

The first 45 minutes was an equally contested match with both the teams cancelling each other out through their defensive prowess.

Sweden started the match pretty well, but Spain was in control, allowing Sweden little to no chance in the opening minutes.

After awhile, Spain dominated the ball possession as expected but couldn't create any big chances as they did in their previous matches. The first big Chance for Spain arrived when Olgo Carmona took a shot from distance and it was just a whisker away from the Swedish goal.

In the middle stages of the game no real chance arose from both the teams but it was mostly Spain who had the ball and Sweden were happy to sit at the back and defend.

But in the last 5 minutes of the game, Sweden did enjoy a nice spell and had kne of the best chances of the game through Fridolina Rolfo, who's shot was saved at the back post by Cata Coll.

The Swedish Women also delivered some dangerous crosses into the box from set pieces, which is their primary weapon in this year's World Cup but was unable to breach the Spanish defense.

2nd Half

Sweden started the second half very strongly with creating good chances through defense breaching passes and Spain were unable to cope up with it, but fortunately for Spain, they couldn't put the ball inside the net.

It was all Sweden in the second half until Spain's head coach brought on Salma Paralluelo in Alexia Putellas's place. Then suddenly it looked like the momentum shifted in favour of the Spanish side.

Salma Paralluelo, the super sub who scored the winner in the extra time against a strong Netherlands side made a huge impact on the field. Every Spanish attack was generated towards her and Sweden found it very difficult to deal with it.

Then finally, in the 81st minute, Salma Paralluelo scored. It was an amazing finish from inside of the box and everyone thought it to be the winning goal as both the teams struggled to create any sort of big chances in the match.

But Rebecka Blomqvist had some other ideas. In the 88th minute of the game, she found herself at the end of a half volley ball just in front of the goal and she equalised the score for Sweden with just 2 minutes left on the clock(normal time).

Everyone in the stadium thought it was going to the extra time but Spain regained the lead through a wonderful strike by Olga Carmona just under 94 seconds of Sweden's goal. It was huge for the Spanish players, no one could believe what had happened, such was the chaos in the end minutes.

So after a very tactical match, it was Spain who went through to the Finals and Sweden will have to suffice themselves with a third or fourth place.

Spain vs Sweden | Live score ESP 2-1 SWE

Kick Off at 1:30 pm (IST)

First Half Begins

Spain vs Sweden is underway!

05'I Sweden on the front foot

Sweden seem to be in control in the opening minutes of the game.

10'I Spain on the attack

No one could get at the end of a beautiful layoff from the right side for the Spanish side to take the lead but it did cause some chaos in the Swedish box.

13'| Attempt by Spain

Olgo Carmona hit the ball from outside of the box and it was not too far from the target.

17'I End to end football

Both the teams have been tactically very sound and is not allowing each other to create any goal scoring opportunities.

20'I Good play by Spain

Aitana Bonmati showcased a nice bit of skill and delivered a dangerous ball into the box but unfortunately it was not enough to break the deadlock.

23'I Spain on the counter

Spain got a good chance to counter but the Swedish defenders were quick to track back and stop the attack.

30'I Spain taking control

Spain have gained almost full control of the game by enjoying some time on the ball.

34'I Corner for Spain

Alexia Putellas delivered a dangerous cross in the box but no one was at the end to receive it and Sweden conceded another corner.

39'I Chance for Spain

Aitana Bonmati's shot was wide of the target and it's still 0-0.

41'I Big save by Coll

Cata Coll pulled off a fine save near the back post off Fridolina Rolfo's shot and concealed a corner.

1 minute of additional time

Spain vs Sweden 45'I Halftime ESP 0-0 SWE

Second half begins!

Who will be the first to break the deadlock? Is it going to be the highest scoring team in the World Cup, Spain or Set piece Specialists, Sweden.

48'| Good pressing by Sweden

The Swedes have again started the half well with pressing much higher up the pitch.

51'I Corner for Sweden

Sweden are pressing Spain from the very front and in the process won a corner.

54'I Chance for Sweden

Stina Blackstenius's right footed shot from inside of the box was saved by the goalkeeper as it was from a tight angle and held no power.

57'I Substitution for Spain

Salma Paralluelo replaces Alexia Putellas.

60'I Good defending by Sweden

Elin Rubensson stopped the attack with her good physical strength inside the 6 yard box.

65'I Free kick at a good position for Spain

After a nice bit of counter punch to Swedish attacks, Spain are awarded with a free kick in a scoring position.

69'I Nice spell for Spain

Spain is enjoying some good possession and have managed to restrict the Swedes' attacks.

70'I Big Chance for Spain

Alba Redondo hit the side net from close range while lying on the ground, which made it fairly difficult for her to hit the target.

73'I Substitution for Spain

Eva Navarro replaces Alba Redondo.

76'I Good cross by Kaneryd

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd delivered a great cross into the box but no Swedish played managed to get at the end of it.

77'I Substitution for Spain

Olivia Schough and Rebecka Blomqvist replaces Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Stina Blackstenius.

81'I Salma Paralluelo scores for Spain! (ESP 1-0 SWE)

Salma Paralluelo, the young Barcelona striker who scored the winner in the quarterfinal match against the Netherlands, have scored again for Spain with her right foot with just under 10 minutes of normal time. It was an instinctive strike's finish and it might lead Spain into their first ever World Cup final.

88'I Sweden equalizes! (ESP 1-1 SWE)

Rebecka Blomqvist, the substitute scored the equalizer for Spain in the dying minutes of the match and it's game on at Auckland.

89'I Spain is back in front! (ESP 2-1 SWE)

Olga Carmona has managed to give Spain the lead back through a wonder strike with her left foot following a short corner and it's 2-1 Spain.

7 minutes of additional time

90'+3| Substitution for Spain

Esther Gonzalez replaces Mariona Caldentey.

Spain vs Sweden 90'I Fulltime ESP 2-1 SWE