Jorge Vilda said it was “marvellous to make so many people happy” after his Spain side reached the country’s first Women’s World Cup final. In a tense semi-final against Sweden, La Roja needed a late strike from Olga Carmona to ensure progression to the Sydney showpiece on Sunday.
“It is something that is fabulous for Spanish football, everyone who’s worked throughout so many years,” Vilda, the head coach, said after the 2-1 win. “Everyone who has contributed to this goes through your head … I’m proud of my team, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved.
“It’s very emotional for me because it’s the culmination of your profession. It’s marvellous to make so many people happy.”
It was a tough encounter for a Spain team who love to control the ball but create relatively few clear-cut chances. The introduction of their breakout star, Salma Paralluelo, made the difference in the second half as she fired them ahead in the 81st minute. A Rebecka Blomqvist equaliser and Carmona’s winner followed in a dramatic conclusion but there was no doubting the 19-year-old’s impact.
“It was a first half that was controlled,” Vilda said. “But at the beginning of the second half, it was not what we expected. We had to change something, and we thought that with Salma, we could have greater depth rather than with Alexia [Putellas].”
“The plan was to control the game; to try to get them tired by passing the ball, our positioning, and reaching their goal as well which did happen. We knew that they would also have their moments and that we had to deploy speed, talent, and the quality of Salma and other players who can really open up the game.”
La Roja’s victory follows a testing 12 months for the head coach and his players off the field. Vilda, however, is keen to keep focus on the final rather than looking back. “It’s a learning process which has made us all stronger, in my opinion,” he said. “[I want] to leave it archived in the past and think about the future and to think that we’re here because we deserve it.
“The work of many people has been well-centred and we’ve been able to deploy all our energy into what’s positive and what’s important to be at this stage.”
With a date in the final set, Spain now await their opponent – Australia or England – with Vilda untroubled by who it will be. “We are going to be very attentive to what happens [tomorrow],” he said. “Both teams are extremely competitive. They are extremely good trainers and have done excellent work … Both sides are there through merit. I think that they’re the two best sides that could have reached that semi-final. We have no preference.”
