Matildas' potential opponents locked in after 'crazy' drama in World Cup semi-final

Spain will either face the Matildas or England in the World Cup final after securing their spot in dramatic circumstances on Tuesday night. Spain have only ever featured in three World Cup tournaments and faced disaster months out from this edition when 15 players made themselves unavailable for selection in a 'mutiny' against coach Jorge Vilda.

The coach was able to eventually select three of those 15 as Spain headed into the World Cup in disarray. However, the nation has now reached their first ever women's World Cup final having defeated Sweden 2-1 in the dying moments in an Auckland thriller.

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Both teams were cautious for most of the match until Spain's substitute ignited the game. Just like she did in the match against the Netherlands, 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo was introduced and scored in the 81st minute when she swept home a cross that found her in the box.

The game suddenly turned and Sweden needed to respond. And in similar fashion, Sweden substitute Rebecka Blomqvist hit a first-time volley into the back of the net in the 88th minute. The match appeared to be heading towards extra-time with just a few minutes left.

However, only 94 seconds later, Spain's Olga Carmona scored one of the goals of the tournament when she hit a beautiful strike from outside the box that looped the keeper. The 89th minute winner sent Spain into raptures and helped the nation reach their first ever World Cup final in just their third appearance at the tournament.

Spain coach Vilda was stunned after the match and said the squad have gone through a huge learning curve in the build-up to the tournament. "The support of Luis Rubiales, the president of the federation, and everyone at the federation, means so much and will always stay with me, as well as that of my family because they have suffered this year," he said in Auckland.

"At the end of the day it has been a learning process, and I think it has made all of us stronger," he said after the 2-1 win. "Now we can file it away and put it behind us and think about the future, and think that we deserve to be where we are."

Fans went wild over one of one of the goals of the tournament, which has set-up a potential showdown with either the Matildas or Sweden.

Sweden devastated after semi-final heartbreak

For Sweden, it marks the third time they have lost at the semi-final stage in the last four World Cups. The players were visibly distraught after the match and star player Kosovare delivered a heartbreaking post-match interview when discussing the loss.

"I'm tired of crying big tournament tears," she said. The World No.3 team also lost in the semi-final of the European Championships last year, which England went on to win.

Spain will now play either the Matildas or England who play on Wednesday.

When do the Matildas play England in World Cup semi-final?

The Matildas - having made history by winning through to a World Cup semi-final for the first time ever - now turn their attention to trying to topple European champions, England. The Aussies will battle their old enemy on Wednesday night at 8pm in front of a sold-out Stadium Australia in Sydney for a place in the final.

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