15 August 2023
Sweden fell just short of reaching the 2023 Women's World Cup final on Tuesday, with coming out on top afte a dramatic end to an action-packed game.
With Linda Sembrant on the bench, Sweden fell just short against a strong Spain side who twice got themselves in front, and each of the three goals came late in the 90 minutes, with all of the goals being scored from the 81st minute on.
First, it was Salma Paralluelo's opener that looked to be sending Spain into the final, but substitute Rebecka Blomqvist levelled and appeared to have forced extra time even later in the day. Within 60 seconds, though, Sweden were caught cold on a defensive corner and Spain punished them, with Olga Carmona firing in from the edge of the box, and that did prove to be the decisive strike.
Spain now await the winner of the second semi-final between co-hosts Australia and European champions England on Wednesday, August 16.
Despite Sweden's disappointment, they do still have another game to face and will want to achieve a podium finish in the match for third place against the losing team from the other semi-final.
