2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Round of 16 – Switzerland vs Spain

Switzerland host Spain in an all-European tie as both teams chase a Quarter-Final spot at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Victory would see Switzerland or Spain qualify for the Quarter-Finals for the first time at a Women’s World Cup.

 

Team News

Switzerland have no fresh injury concerns to report with manager, Inka Grings set to name an unchanged starting line-up from their goalless draw against New Zealand.

Spain could welcome defender, Ivana Andres back into contention after she was rested during their Group C loss to Japan.

Alexia Putellas is a fitness doubt as she continues to steadily return to full fitness, following several months out with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury suffered last summer.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Switzerland meet Spain at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday 5 August at 6am UK Time, live on BBC One in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Switzerland’s first-ever meeting against Spain at a Women’s World Cup, but are unbeaten in five of their last nine meetings against the Spanish in all competitions (W3, D2, L3).
• Spain lost their only previous meeting against an European team at a Women’s World Cup – having lost 1-0 to Germany in the Group Stage at 2019 tournament.
• Switzerland have claimed goalless draws in three of their last four matches in all competitions (W1, D3), although they’ve kept clean sheets in their last four games
• Jorge Vilda’s Spain are looking to avoid consecutive defeats for the first time since 2019, having lost to USA and France in June and August 2019 respectively.

 

Prediction

It is little surprise to see Switzerland enter this match without having conceded yet because their defence has been rock-solid, although their attack will need to step it up akin to how they beat the Philippines with clinical finishing because they lacked end product against Norway and New Zealand.

Spain meanwhile have to reset after their defensive horror show of a 4-0 loss to Japan because for all of their possession, their defence was superbly exposed on the counter-attack which could suit Switzerland whilst their end product was just outclassed throughout.

If there is one positive though for the Spanish, it is that they do have players like Putellas, Aitana Bonmati and Jennifer Hermoso who can break down the Swiss defence, although this won’t be an easy task so patience will be key especially if the Swiss deploy the counter-attack.

Prediction: Switzerland 1-2 Spain

Result: Switzerland 1-5 Spain