Now that we’re down to the final four teams of the tournament, tensions are high among Spain, Sweden, England, and Australia. All four teams have played their hearts out this tournament despite injuries across the board.

Coming into the first match day in the semifinals, both Sweden and Spain had been growing into this World Cup. Spain has been undefeated outside of their 4-0 loss to Japan while Sweden has comfortably beat all opposition aside from squeaking through on penalties against the United States. But Spain were able to overcome Sweden with a last gasp goal.

“I’m tired of crying big tournament tears",” said Kosovare Asllani, Sweden’s talismanic striker, in her post-match interview. Sweden have reached the World Cup semi-finals five times, making it through to the finals only once, and never having won the tournament.

Spain vs Sweden (2-1)

This match against two top-five ranked women’s national teams started at a simmer. Despite having chances in the first half, neither side had the clinical finishing needed to find the back of the net - with Sweden having the best opportunities.

In the 56th minute, Alexia Putellas, who had a quiet game so far, was substituted for Salma Paralluelo - the teenage winger who’s 111th minute goal had against the Netherlands last Thursday had put Spain through to the semifinals. Paralluelo wasted little time and nearly created a chance at the 70th minute before hooking the ball into the back of the net at the 80th.

Sweden were against the ropes but quickly equalized with an 88th minute goal from Rebecka Blomqvist. It looked like the match was sure to go into extra time before a long-range golazo from Olga Carmona shut the book on Sweden.

Player Spotlight: Salma Paralluelo

Salma Paralluelo is a winger who plays for Barcelona and the Spanish Women’s National Team. Paralluelo has had a quiet tournament but has exploded in the quarter and semi-finals, scoring the winning goals against the Netherlands and Spain respectively.

After debuting at her hometown club Zaragoza CF at the age of 15, she was signed to Villarreal where she developed over three years before securing a move to Barcelona in 2022. While she hasn’t been a starter, the teenager has learned alongside nine Spanish internationals on the team including Alexia Putellas.

Her explosive pace, which can be attributed to her to being a world class track athlete as well as a soccer player, has been a nightmare for defenders. Until joining Barcelona, Paralluelo competed in track & field, having won youth championship trophies in relay & hurdles. In 2018, she was also a part of the U-17 team that won both the UEFA U-17 Women’s Championship and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.