Late drama in Eden Park as Spain score two goals in ten minutes to book their spot in the World Cup Final.

After Spain took the lead in the 80th minute, a Sweden equaliser seven minutes later meant the game looked destined for Extra Time. Spanish captain Olga Carmona then scored an absolutely sensational goal in the 89th minute to send her side to the World Cup Final.

A cagey first half saw both teams head into the break on an even playing field. Despite Spain’s dominance of possession, they were unable to convert it into a score, or any really threatening chances. Sweden’s defence has to take a lot of credit for this, the centre-back pairing of Amanda Ilestedt and Magdalena Eriksson doing a good job to neutralise any serious dangers in the Swedish penalty area, but Spain will be disappointed not to have anything to show for their first half dominance of possession.

The Spaniards created the first chance of the game in the 13th minute, a 30-yard strike from Captain Olga Carmona drifting just wide of the right-hand post, much to the relief of an unsighted Zecira Musovic in the Swedish net.

Carmona picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area following a rushed clearance from the Swedish defence and struck the ball cleanly towards goal. Her effort was just inches away from giving Spain the perfect start to this Semi-Final.

Spain would go on to control possession and the overall tempo of the first half, severely limiting Sweden’s attacking play. After being forced to defend for much of the opening 40 minutes, Sweden responded well at the end of the half and arguably created the best chance of the game thus far. From a throw-in near the Spanish corner flag, the Spanish defence failed to clear the ball, allowing Nathalie Bjorn to win the ball back in a dangerous position.

The right-back produced a wonderful first-time cross with the outside of her right boot into the penalty area, where Fridolina Rolfo was ready to pounce, getting the better of Ona Batlle in the physical battle. Rolfo attemped a volley from Bjorn’s cross and forced an excellent save from Coll, diving down to her right. It was an excellent response from Sweden, who were forced to defend for much of the opening half, as they began to prove how dangerous they can be. By the half-time whistle, it was Spain who looked more thankful of the break, despite controlling much of the game.

It was a much livelier start to the second half from both sides. Sweden took confidence from their bright end to the first half, whilst Spain were sparked into life with the introduction of Salma Paralluelo in place of Alexia Putellas.

Paralluelo caused the Swedish defence a whole host of issues throughout the second half with her speed, physicality and hold-up play. From the 60th minute, Spain enjoyed a real green spell, dominating over 70% of the possession, but again they were held at bay by this robust Swedish defence.

Sweden did not panic, after all they were forced to sit in for much of their game against the USA in the round of 16 and were happy to pick their moments to counter attack.

The pressure finally got to Sweden in the 80th minute, Spain breaking the deadlock through substitute Paralluelo after a mistake in the Swedish defence. After a dangerous Jennifer Hermoso cross, Jonna Andersson was unable to clear the danger and the ball fell towards Paralluelo, who reacted instinctively to power the ball passed Musovic and into the top-right corner.

Sweden refused to go down without a fight, however, and scored a wonderful equaliser with just three minutes of the 90 remaining. Substitutes Lina Hurtig and Rebecka Blomqvist combined after a dangerous Andersson cross. Hurtig got her head to the ball and aimed it in the direction of Blomqvist, who volleyed the ball into the back of the net to give Sweden a life-line.

Just 94 seconds later, Spain responded with a brilliant goal of their own, this time from Captain Olga Carmona. Carmona picked up the ball from a short corner and set her sights on goal, spotting the goalkeeper was just off of her line. Carmona lobbed Musovic from 30 yards out, her effort hitting the underside of the crossbar before crossing the line, sending the Spanish contingent of Eden Park into hysterics.

With just minutes left on the clock, Spain would use their excellent game management to see out the game 2-1, reaching their first ever World Cup final in what was a brilliant second half performance. It’s heartbreak for Sweden, who bow out at the Semi-Final stage yet again, after coming so close to sending the game to Extra Time.

Spain’s opponents in the final will be determined tomorrow morning as England face Colombia.