You can find everything about the World Cup in football: Competition news, topics, Futistietäjä, program, results and statistics on ‘s World Cup website.
– I never, never want to feel that disgusting feeling again.
That was the defender of the Swedish women’s national football team Nathalie Björn described his feelings last summer, when Sweden had lost to England in the semi-finals of the European Championships.
Sweden’s “golden generation” went to last summer’s EC tournament with confidence, but in the semi-finals they were knocked out by the host country England 4-0.
Now in Sweden, it was believed that the disgusting feelings have brought such a big dose of humility and will to fight along with self-confidence that the golden generation will finally get what they want.
In the opening group of the World Cup, Sweden roared from victory to victory at the expense of South Africa, Italy and Argentina. In the playoffs, it first dropped the reigning champion USA dramatically in a penalty shootout. In the semifinals, Sweden beat Japan, perhaps the most convincing team in the preliminary groups. Everything went as expected.
Peter Gerhardsson, 63, started as Sweden’s head coach in 2017. Since then, Sweden has advanced to the semifinals of the European Championships, the Olympics and twice in the World Championships. But even after these games, the victory of the first women’s European Championship in 1984 remains the only prestigious victory.
An incomprehensible ten minutes
In the semi-final, Spain held the ball, but it was known that it would not be a problem for Sweden. In the opening period, Spain controlled 61% of possession, but did not get a single attempt at goal. Sweden, on the other hand, had some dangerous attacks at the end of the opening period, but the Spanish goalkeeper Catalina Coll explained for example Fridolina Rolfön corporate.
As the second half progressed, Spain took hold, and the change came from the change Salma Parallel life opened the goal taps of the match in the 81st minute Jennifer Hermoson of concentration.
Paralluelo also decided the quarter-final against the Netherlands. Even then, he came on the field as a substitute and scored a 2–1 winning goal in the follow-up match in the 111th minute. Now Paralluelo, 19, became the third teenage player in history to play in the World Cup semi-finals.
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Sweden struck in the 88th minute. Focus on the penalty area, Lina Hurtig dropped the ball To Rebecka Blomqvistwho scored the equalizer.
We still saw the third hit in less than ten minutes. Spain scored the winning goal one minute and 33 seconds after Sweden equalized. Olga Carmona the bet sank too easily over the Swedish goalkeeper, who played amazing games by Zećira Mušović.
Carmona’s goal came from a corner kick situation. Ironically, they had been Sweden’s strongest weapon in the World Cup tournament.
SVT expert Hanna Marklund wondered, why the experienced Swedish team wasn’t awake after their equalizer and conceded an easy goal. Marklund also saw the match as the biggest turning point for Paralluelo’s substitution on the field.
The shock of the Swedes
– Eeeee! Sweden’s nightmare, Expressen recently headlined on its front page.
Editor of Expressen Anna Friberg writethat Sweden didn’t reach anywhere near the level they did against Japan and criticizes head coach Gerhardsson for not making any substitutions until the 77th minute despite Spain’s dominance.
– Seen from the Swedes’ eyes, the atmosphere after the final whistle was pitch black. Magdalena Eriksson, Kosovare Asllani, Fridolina Rolfö – Sweden’s most influential players of recent years – cried. Perhaps they felt that this was the last chance they had talked about and dreamed about for so many years.
Aftonbladet is raised to its title The words of Asllan, 34, after the match:
– I’m so tired of these damn tears after the prestigious competitions.
Sweden’s captain Asllani described himself as speechless. Sweden also played in the bronze medal match of the World Cup in 2019, 2011 and 1991. In 2003, they lost the final. From the Olympics, below is the final loss from 2020 and 2016. In last summer’s European Championships, the road rose in the semi-finals.
– At the moment, it’s empty. The disappointment is huge. I’m so sick of these damn tears. I truly believed that our team would make it to the end.
Goalkeeper Mušović found a golden edge in the situation.
– Football is great. I don’t know if there is anything else in life that makes me feel like this. Today we faced a really good Spain who might have played one of their best matches. We equalized, then conceded the decisive goal. Of course it feels like crap.
Spanish joy
Spain beat Sweden for the first time at the 12th attempt. For Spain, the place in the finals is the first. The semi-final place at the World Cup level was also the first, in the European Championships Spain reached the top four in 1997.
– We are in the World Cup final! My skin is crawling, Spain head coach Jorge Vilda rejoiced the Spanish newspaper According to AS.
– I have cried all my tears. I’m empty now. We did it. I am extremely happy, we are one step away. We will never forget this. Sports exist for moments like this, striker Jennifer Hermoso rejoiced in the La 1 TV interview.
The atmosphere of the Spanish team has been talked about throughout the tournament. Previously, the players openly protested against head coach Vilda, some threatened to miss the World Cup if Vilda remained as head coach, and some did.
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The subject was on the surface in the Swedish media before the semi-final. Spanish reporter Maria Tikas had claimed after Spain’s quarter-final victory that some of the players are not on speaking terms with Vilda. It was also noted that Vilda did not celebrate with the rest of the team after the victory.
It was different after the semi-final.
You can find everything about the World Cup in football: Competition news, topics, Futistietäjä, program, results and statistics on ‘s World Cup website. Spain will meet in the final on Sunday 20.8. at 1 p.m. for the winner of the semi-final between Australia and England, which will be played on Wednesday 16 August. 13 o’clock.