Spain beat Sweden to reach World Cup final

Olga Carmona struck late to give Spain a thrilling 2-1 win over Sweden on Tuesday and send the Iberians into a first Women’s World Cup final.

Wearing the captain’s armband, Carmona’s 90th-minute strike from the edge of the area pinged off the crossbar and into the net two minutes after Rebecka Blomqvist had levelled the match for Sweden.

Salma Paralluelo, the quarter-final hero against the Netherlands, put Spain in the lead with the opening goal in the 81st minute.

Less than a year after a player revolt tore the squad apart, Spain will have the chance to lift the trophy on Sunday when they face co-hosts Australia or England in the decider.

Sweden bow out after another defeat at the penultimate hurdle, having made the semi-finals in France four years ago and also the last four at last year’s European Championship.