Spain meet Sweden at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand in the opening semi-final of 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Victory would see Spain extend their deepest-ever run and reach the Women’s World Cup Final for the first time in their history.
Sweden meanwhile are seeking to reach only their second Women’s World Cup Final in their history, having last achieved the feat 20 years ago in 2003 but finished runners-up to Germany.
Team News
Oihane Hernandez is suspended for Spain after she picked up her second booking of the tournament during their extra-time win over Netherlands in the Quarter-Finals.
Olga Carmona however is available after her sole yellow card from their 4-0 loss to Japan in their final Group C match was wiped, in line with FIFA rules to ensure that players only miss the Final if red carded in the semi-finals.
Sweden have no fresh injury or suspension concerns to report with Kosovare Asllani and Olivia Schough’s yellow cards having been wiped after their Quarter-Final win over Japan.
When is Kick-Off?
Spain meet Sweden at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand on Tuesday 15 August, with kick-off at 10am CEST (9am UK Time), live on BBC One in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Spain’s first-ever meeting against Sweden at a Women’s World Cup.
- Sweden won their only previous meeting against Spain at a major tournament (W1), prevailing 1-0 at 1997 UEFA Women’s Euro.
- Spain have never beat Sweden in 11 meetings in all competitions (D4, L7)
- Spain have scored first in four of their five matches at this tournament (W4, L1).
- Sweden’s Amanda Ilestedt has scored four goals in three of her five appearances at this tournament.
Prediction
Widely classed as the female version of Belgium’s Men’s ‘Golden Generation’, Spain know that this clash is do-or-die in their mission to lift silverware whilst at their peak but they lack experience at this particular stage as a team which could create some nerves amongst younger players.
Spain however did well to dig their way past the Netherlands in extra-time last time out but there will be some questions about their end product against top teams, which Japan and the Netherlands exposed but breaking this Swedish defence will be a harder ask.
Sweden meanwhile were well disciplined and organised in their victory over Japan because they soaked up the pressure, yet used their high-tempo transition from defence to attack to dominate the middle part of the game before resiliently defending their lead despite a late conceded goal.
We shouldn’t forget that these Swedes have been bridemaids at recent tournaments but those experiences will only motivate them here, otherwise they could well be looking like Belgium’s failed ‘Golden Generation’ more than Spain.
Either way, I do expect this contest to be super close with a battle of Spanish attack against Swedish defence dominating the tactical play, so it wouldn’t be a shock if this goes the distance and Sweden again scrape through via penalties.
Prediction: Spain 1-1 Sweden (Sweden to win on penalties)