Argentina scored first through Lorena Rodriguez and held the lead for the majority of the match.

Their Spanish opponents, however, dramatically equalised in the dying moments of the second-half thanks to a goal from Anna Casarramona, forcing the game into overtime.

Neither side managed to gain any advantage until the second period when Natasha Lee slammed the ball into the Argentinian net to send Spain into the final.

The other last four encounter was far less nervy as Portugal thumped France 5-0 in an all-European affair.

Portugal's Sofia Silva opened the scoring in the first-half before they added four more in the second period in what proved to be a dominant performance.

Two goals from Marlene Sousa and one each from Renata Balonas and Rute Lopes took the game away from France, leaving them to compete for the bronze medal with Argentina.

Elsewhere in today's action, hosts Chile, beaten by a French golden goal in yesterday's quarter-finals, overcame Germany 4-2 to secure their place in tomorrow's match to decide who finishes in fifth place.

Two goals by Germany's Kim Alina Kenchels were not enough to secure the victory as they were cancelled out by efforts from Fernanda Urrea, Francisca Puertas, Catalina Flores and Francisca Donoso.

Chile will now take on Colombia next after they defeated Italy 3-1.

The teams were tied at the end of the first-half but two goals in the second half from Catalina Martinez and a third by Diana Rivas saw the South Americans over the line.