Page 80 - Soccer360 - Issue 103

“A GOOD DEFENSE CAN OVERCOME ALMOST ALL CHALLENGES”
4.) CARMONA PUSHES SPAIN AHEAD
While Olga Carmona would hit another important goal on a bigger stage at the World Cup (more
on that in a minute), Spain may not have gotten
to that point had she not dispatched Sweden. In the 89th minute in the Semifinals against Sweden, La Roja were facing extratime after Rebecca Blomqvist equalized just a minute prior. But as they had done all tournament long, Spain found space in their opponent’s defensive third and exploited it. Carmona slid between two defenders and headed home the game-winning goal and booked their spot in the finals.
3.) LINA HURTIG KNOCKS OUT THE AMERICANS
Although not an upset considering how poor
the USWNT played at the World Cup, it did take everything Sweden had to knock them out. After weathering a ninety minute shooting barrage, the Swedes pushed the Americans into extra time and eventually into penalties. After going back and forth throughout pks, Sweden received a break after both Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith missed their chances. That gave Lina Hurtig the chance to win it all. Her shot hit the inside of the crossbar and just went across the goalline before goalkeeper Alyssa Naerher could clear it.
Above Right:
Carmona slid between two defenders and headed home the game- winning goal and booked their spot in the finals.
Below Left:
Lina Hurtig of Sweden celebrates as she kicks the winning penalty goal during the penalty shoot out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Round of 16 soccer match between Sweden and the US
Below:
Megan Rapinoe of the USA reacts after missing her penalty shot
FACT FILE
Winning team’s prize money:
$4.29m
Total prize money:
$110m
Fastest goal:
68s
Scored by Panama’s Marta Cox against France in the group stage
Youngest player: Casey Phair of South Korea at
16
years & 26 days
youngest ever in the history of the tournament
“WORLD CUPS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MUCH MORE THAN JUST THE GAMES THEMSELVES”
80 SOCCER360 MAGAZINE