Olga Carmona scored a late winner to help Spain qualify for its first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup final with a thrilling 2-1 semi-final win over Sweden on Tuesday.
The Spanish captain’s 90th-minute strike from the edge of the box hit the crossbar and into the net two minutes after Rebecka Blomqvist had levelled the match for Sweden.
Teenager Salma Paralluelo, Spain's quarter-final hero against the Netherlands, scored after being substituted to help her side break the deadlock in the 81st minute.
After a player revolt less than a year ago, 'La Roja' will have the opportunity to lift the elusive football trophy on Sunday when they lock horns with co-hosts Australia or England in the final.
"It felt like a punch in the stomach when they managed to take the lead again straight away. There are no words," Sweden defender Magdalena Eriksson told Swedish radio.
"I'm incredibly disappointed, we gave everything we had, we even managed to equalise. We fought against a headwind today, we didn't succeed."
It must be noted that 15 Spain players had threatened to quit last year if coach Jorge Vilda was not removed but on Tuesday his decision to bring in playmaker Alexia Putellas with Paralluelo before the hour mark changed the tide in his side’s favour.
"I think everyone just feels sadness and huge disappointment," Sweden boss Gerhardsson told reporters.
"We felt this enormous joy and elation that maybe we can bring this to extra time. Then it turned again."
This was also the final match of the tournament for New Zealand, which generated a total attendance of more than 700,000 people in 29 matches across four cities.
