Spain qualified for the final of the Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history by beating Sweden 2-1 in the semi-final played today in front of 42,137 spectators at Eden Park in Auckland. Once again, the protagonist of the meeting was the 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo, a former 400-year-old who only gave up athletics last year to devote herself exclusively to football. Hers was the first goal, in the 35th minute, and seven minutes later, in the 42nd minute, Sweden equalized through Blomqvist (entered eleven minutes earlier in place of Blackstenius). But, in this heart-stopping final match, the emotions weren’t over, so in the 45th minute Spain scored the decisive goal with left-back Olga Carmona.
In Sunday’s final in Sydney Spain will face the winners of the semi-final between Australia and England which is played tomorrow.