Spain leave it late again and seal first-ever finals spot in thrilling win over Sweden

Arriving late, but with style; Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

Auckland, NZ: In front of a sell-out crowd in Eden Park, Auckland, Spain continue their dramatic journey through the World Cup, booking a place in the finals by defeating Sweden 2-1. 

A match bursting alive in the final 10 minutes saw teenage sensation Salma Paralluelo coming off the bench to put her side ahead, before Rebecka Blomqvist's volley levelled things just 7 minutes later. With extra time looking imminent, Olga Carmona nicked a late winner under Sweden's noses to set up a date with either co-hosts Australia or England to battle for the ultimate prize in Sydney on Sunday.

"We are waiting to know our opponent (in the final)," said Spanish head coach Jorge Vilda. "We know both teams well. We are in the final of a World Cup. My hair is standing on its ends."

Considering the heavy controversy that the coach was embroiled in, which saw 15 players demand for his resignation in the buildup to the tournament, not many tipped Spain to make it far, let alone a place in the finals. In Eden Park, they were faced with Sweden, looking to end their streak of exits from the semi-final stage and aim for the big one.

Driven by their respective motivations, both sides displayed their intents fairly early; Spain cycling the ball around, culminating in a dangerous cross in the box getting cleared, while Sweden looked to move quickly on the counter, finding Stina Blackstenius in oceans of space in the 4th minute, with the Arsenal striker getting closed down by La Roja eventually.

This would remain the dominant tone of the tie, a cagey cat-and-mouse game with neither side producing enough finesse in the final third to score. Alba Redondo was at the receiving end of many teasing crosses, but it would be long before Spain could register a shot on target.  Despite the balances slightly against their favour, Sweden would salvage the first real opportunity at goal, when Carmona's botched clearance in the 43rd minute made its way to Nathalie Bjorn, her cross finding Fridolina Rolfo at the far post, with the resulting volley from close-range getting denied by Cata Coll.

Rolfo (right) shooting at goal in the first half; Phil Walter/Getty Images

With only 45 more minutes to avoid extra time, and possibly penalties, there was, understandably, more urgency. Sweden appeared to have slightly polished up their offence, with half-hearted shots coming from Blackstenius and Rolfo. Redondo would miss out another golden opportunity before getting subbed out, as she couldn't swipe the ball into an open net after Paralluelo kept the ball in play in the 71st minute. 

Talking about Paralluelo, as if it was written in the stars, she would yet again be found at the crime scene of what seemed like a late winner. A whipped cross from Hermoso headed away by the Swedes, only for Paralluelo to exploit the disarrayed defence and squeeze a shot through the opposition's legs, and around Musovic's gloves to make it 1-0 at the 81st minute.

Pure character from a rising star in Paralluelo; Phil Walter/Getty Images

However things were merely starting to brew in Auckland, as after a quick huddle, Sweden persevered, and it was yet again a substitute changing the fate of the tie. Lina Hurtig, the penalty hero against USA, would nod a cross right into Blomqvist's path, her thundering volley nestling into the back of the net in the 88th minute. 

Before the 43,000 strong crowd could even attempt to process the chaos on the pitch, Spain immediately capitalised on a short corner, with Carmona whistling a shot past Musovic, the ball bouncing off the underside of the crossbar and rattling into the net.

A belter and a half from Carmona to seal the deal; Jose Breton/Getty Images

For a World Cup campaign built on tensions and distrust, and the sole blemish in the form of their 4-0 loss against Japan, the Spanish have written themselves a fanciful story, a blockbuster 10 minutes preceding what could be a final for the ages. No matter what happens, shockwaves are bound to be felt across the field of women's football.