Spain vs Sweden – Semi-Final – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Spain vs Sweden on and what time does it start? Spain vs Sweden will take place on Tuesday 15th August, 2023 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is Spain vs Sweden taking place? Spain vs Sweden will take place at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Where can I get tickets for Spain vs Sweden? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Spain vs Sweden
What channel is Spain vs Sweden on in the UK? Spain vs Sweden will be televised live on BBC One
Where can I stream Spain vs Sweden in the UK? Spain vs Sweden can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
THE LOWDOWN
SPAIN
- In what was a heavyweight European clash in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-finals, Spain emerged triumphant after extra time, beating Netherlands 2-1 after conceding an equaliser in second half stoppage time.
- Alexia Putellas started from the bench in the quarter-final and head coach Jorge Vilda has a huge decision regarding whether to bring her into the XI, possibly as a replacement for the doubtful Aitana Bonmati, whilst Ivan Andres could come in for fellow centre-back Laia Codina, who suffered an injury vs Netherlands.
SWEDEN
- After knocking out reigning champions United States on penalties, Sweden took another huge scalp in the quarter-finals, overcoming another former Women’s World Cup winning nation in Japan with a wonderful performance that further underlined their capability of going all the way.
- Peter Gerhardsson has been consistent with his starting line-ups across the knockout stage and is expected to name an unchanged XI provided no unexpected injuries have cropped up, quarter-final goalscorer Filippa Angeldal having played 90 minutes against Japan despite suffering a knock vs United States.
THE TEAM NEWS
SPAIN
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Coll; Hernandez, Paredes, Andres, Batlle; Bonmati, Abelleira, Jenni Hermoso; Paralluelo, Gonzalez, Caldentey
UNAVAILABLE: Garcia (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Codina (Injured), Bonmati (Injured)
SWEDEN
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Musovic; Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldal, Rubensson; Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfo; Blackstenius
UNAVAILABLE: Glas (Injured), Lundkvist (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- This is just the second time that Spain have reached a major tournament semi-final. The only previous time they reached the last four in a major tournament was at UEFA Women’s EURO 1997 when they lost 2-1 against Italy.
- Spain have won four of their previous five matches at the 2023 finals. They had only won one of seven FIFA Women’s World Cup matches prior to this edition of the tournament.
- Spain have defeated European opposition in their previous two matches in the knockout rounds on their way to reaching the semi-finals. W 5-1 v. Switzerland (R16) and W 2-1 aet v. Netherlands (QF).
- Against the Netherlands, Salma Paralluelo, aged 19 years and 271 days, has become the youngest goalscorer for Spain in the FIFA Women's World Cup surpassing Lucía García who was 20 years and 329 days when she scored against South Africa in 2019.
- Sweden have won seven and drawn four of the previous 11 encounters between these two nations. However, their only meeting since 2002 was a 1-1 draw in October of last year in a friendly match.
- Sweden are through to the semi-finals for the fifth time. A 2-1 win against Canada in 2003 is their only success in their previous four FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final ties.
- Overall, Sweden have featured in 16 major tournament semi-finals prior to this tie. FIFA Women’s World Cup (4) – W1 L3; Olympics (3) W2 L1; Women’s EURO (9) W4 L5.
- Sweden’s record against European teams in the FIFA Women’s World Cup is P11 W6 L5. They have won their last two matches against European opposition in the competition. W 2-1 vs England (2019 match for third place) and W 5-0 vs Italy (2023 group stage).
- Sweden have faced European opposition in the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on two previous occasions, losing 4-1 against Norway in 1991 and suffering a 1-0 extra-time defeat against the Netherlands in 2019.
- Sweden have won seven and drawn one of their last nine FIFA Women’s World Cup matches (W7 D1 L1).
THE PREDICTION
Spain’s attacking capabilities has seen them now rack up 15 goals across the tournament, underlining how difficult it will be for Sweden to keep them out. However, Gerhardsson’s side have proven their worth across the knockout stage and the Swedish backline won’t be an easy one for Spain to breach. Key to the success of ‘La Roja’ is their strength-in-depth, specifically the calibre of players they can call upon from the bench which enables them to step up a gear the longer a match goes on. In what should be another extremely close contest between two European nations, Spain’s offensive quality is expected to get the job done and guide them to a first ever Women’s World Cup final.
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