Spain and DPR Korea Turn the Semifinals Into a Champions’ Final

Spain did almost everything but score for the opening 39 minutes against Italy. La Rojita controlled 70 percent of possession and piled up 26 shots to Italy’s three, with goalkeeper Elena Belli repeatedly keeping the Azzurrine alive. Even Alba Cerrato putting the ball in the net was not enough, with VAR wiping out the goal for a foul in the buildup. Daniela Agote eventually forced the breakthrough herself, beating her defender down the right and sending in a cross that deflected off Azzurra Gallo and beyond Belli for an own goal. Italy briefly threatened before halftime through Paola Fadda, but it was about as close as the semifinal came to changing direction.

Agote created the second too. Spain turned an Italian attack into a devastating counter, Agote delivered the final low ball and Pau Comendador finished for her tournament-leading sixth goal. Agote thought she had added one herself later in the half before another VAR review erased it for a handball earlier in the move. The 2-0 scoreline was considerably kinder to Italy than the match itself: Spain finished with eight shots on target to two. Italy, playing in its first-ever semifinal, now heads to Saturday’s bronze-medal match, while Spain returns to the final with a chance to reclaim the title it won in 2022.