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| Looking at Eden Park’s South Stand from the North Stand [...] Attributed to TimBray, 2015 Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) |
10:12 a.m. (Central European Summer Time)
The game is afoot in Auckland, or rather Tāmaki Makaurau!
Spain's team is in red, Sweden's in yellow.
Spain's goalie took her time kicking out the ball, as the turquoise-shirted referee gently encouraged her, and the stadium camera crew took time to single out two horned 'Viking' helmets in the rows of spectators.
When Spain received the ball again, however, their forwards rushed up to Sweden's goal and there was a definite risk of a goal until a Swedish player cleared it in a long kick.
10:16 a.m.
More movement in Spain's half, now, as Sweden also attempts to run on their opponent's goal. A deliberately paced game so far, with ample coverage of the field, I think.
Subjective observation: In a few matches teams have been favouring their 'weaker' sides, so the ball only goes up and down one side instead of passing right to left. Or the offense has had to be especially active to compensate for the defense, or vice versa. Here there's no such concern.
10:32 a.m.
Filippa Angeldal briefly in trouble with the referee (who has a good 'smh' face) for holding onto a Spanish player's arm.
10:34 a.m.
But now Alexia Putellas of Spain gives Angeldal a firm shove in the small of the back... Free kick.
10:36 a.m.
Magdalena Eriksson just bounced a Spanish shot across the Swedish goal high into the air and into safety, to the relief of her teammates.
Shortly afterward, Angeldal takes a firm grip on a Spanish player's upper arm. Spanish player is massaging the spot... Wouldn't be surprising if yellow cards begin to appear in this game.
10:38 a.m.
As the play resumes after Aitana Bonmati just fired the ball low past Sweden's goal, the statistics: Spain has had about 65% of the ball possession so far, whereas Sweden has had 35%.
10:44 a.m.
Sweden was eager to profit by an opportunity to sink a goal before half-time, but a corner kick ended in nothing.
10:47 a.m.
And now it's half-time!
11:19 a.m.
We're well into the second half now, lots of Swedish activity near Spain's goal.
Kosovare Asllani thrust her foot in front of Spain's Olga Carmona and trod fully upon the Spanish player's toes, leaving Carmona folded on her side on the ground and then hobbling.
No yellow card, although the German TV commentator suggests that one would be appropriate.
11:24 a.m.
Fridolina Rolfö just accidentally kicked her foot up into a Spanish player's face while defending near Sweden's goal. That looked painful... Free kick for Spain.
Free kick ends in corner kick. That corner kick ends in a long ball over back into Spain's half.
11:28 a.m.
In this second half, I still have the vague impression that both teams are saving part of their energies for the finale. (Or 3rd place match.)
But Alba Redondo almost manages to score a goal while lying on the ground; however, it skims low past the net.
11:31 a.m.
Substitutions news: Alba Redondo out, Eva Navarro in for Spain.
Salma Paralluelo was already substituted in earlier (also for Spain).
But it looks like Sweden's team has stayed the same, now for over 73 minutes...
11:34 a.m.
But now Stina Blackstenius and Johanna Kaneryd are out, while Rebecka Blomqvist and Olivia Schough are in!
11:38 a.m. ⚽
Salma Paralluelo scores for Spain with a swift low ball. 1-0
Spain's lead would have appeared even better deserved in the first half than the second half, I think.
Sweden's team has improved in the second half, also statistically: they were driving much of the action, and are now at 44% ball possession.
11:42 a.m.
Spain's goalie Catalina Coll is sitting on the ground, and being medically checked out. (The German TV commentator suspects it might be a ploy, but is willing to give the benefit of the doubt. If it is a ploy, Coll is not bothering to feign pain dramatically.)
Spain’s coach, who looked quite worried when his players scored the 1-0, is talking to the team in the meantime.
11:47 a.m. ⚽ ⚽
A lot to catch up on:
Sweden: Rubensson out, Hurtig in.
Huge cheers in the stadium as Sweden earns 1-1 with a goal from Rebecca Blomqvist. As a throw-in from near the corner results in a clear kick.
Now Spain earns a goal from a great distance and the coach looks happy. Spain 2 - Sweden 1.
And it's very close to the end...
11:48 a.m.
We're launched into 7 minutes of added time.
11:51 a.m.
Spain substitutes in Esther González for Mariona Caldentey.
11:55 a.m.
With the 2-1 score still standing, Spain wins a place in the World Cup final on August 20th.
