Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati is relishing the “incredible” chance of playing in the team’s first-ever Women’s World Cup final after they knocked out world no. 3 Sweden to punch their ticket to the summit clash.

A player revolt last year threatened to affect Spain’s campaign, but La Roja have put aside those issues in their World Cup quest, as they gear up to play their maiden final – where they will meet either England or Australia.

In October, 15 players complained to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) about a toxic work environment, demanding changes to the national team set-up. They made themselves unavailable for selection, directing the majority of their complaints at coach Jorge Vilda.

The players denied calling for Vilda’s sacking, saying they only wanted improvements behind the scenes as the events with the national team had affected their emotional and physical health. But the federation claimed otherwise and backed Vilda, who chose only three of those rebels in his World Cup squad.

Despite missing several of their stars, such as Barcelona’s Patri Guijarro, Mapi Leon and Sandra Panos, Spain have produced a resilient and impressive performance in Australia and New Zealand.

“It’s crazy, crazy,” said Bonmati told FIFA after Spain won their semi-final against Sweden. “We’re in the World Cup final. The World Cup final. It’s unbelievable. It’s a very special moment. It’s an incredible feeling for all of us.

“Some of us are very lucky. We’ve won two Champions Leagues with Barcelona. We’ve played at Camp Nou many times. We have a record crowd – 90,000 people came to see us play. We’ve played in many big games with big crowds, great atmospheres.

“But playing a World Cup final in front of 75,000, it will be crazy. I can’t believe it’s going to happen. Am I in a dream? To play in a World Cup final is already very special, but this will be on another level.”

After suffering a quarter-final exit at the Women’s Euros last year, Spain headed Down Under intending to improve on that result.

World no. 6 Spain started the campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Costa Rica before thrashing Zambia 5-0. However, in the final group game against Japan, they lost 4-0 as the former world champions completely outplayed the Europeans.

Having finished second in Group C, Spain bounced back in the knockouts, winning 5-1 against Switzerland in the Round of 16 and knocking out 2019 finalists, the Netherlands, 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

Against Sweden, they secured the win with two late goals – from 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo, who also scored the winner against the Dutch, and Olga Carmona.

“I think we played very seriously,” Bonmata said about the semi-final in Auckland. “We competed so well. Physically we were able to compete. It was a very tight match. Sweden had their moments, we had our moments.

“And we must say thanks to Olga. When Sweden equalized a few minutes earlier, it was a huge blow. Then I saw Olga score a great goal. Oh my God! We went crazy but then remembered we had to get through till the end!”

Spain’s impressive run is just one of the several unexpected results at this year’s tournament.

With the field expanded to 32 teams, this year’s World Cup has been the most unexpected edition with minnows challenging the heavyweights – Jamaica, South Africa and Morocco all reached the knockouts, while Olympic champions Canada, twice world champions Germany and giants Brazil exited in the first round.

Four-time world champions the United States, who were aiming for their third straight title, also suffered an early exit in the last 16.

“This tournament has been amazing for women’s football,” Bonmati added. “The standard of football, the great games, the atmospheres. To get the chance to play in the final is something we’ve dreamed about for so long. It was a very tough match, so we’re very happy, relieved, proud, excited.”