The semi-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup get underway on Tuesday, with Spain and Sweden facing off at Auckland’s Eden Park for a place in the final.
The Spaniards punched their ticket to the last four with a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands, while the Swedes defeated Japan by the same scoreline.
Förberedelserna inför tisdagens semifinal igång 🇪🇸👀#SWE | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/T3utj8UvEp— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) August 13, 2023
Förberedelserna inför tisdagens semifinal igång 🇪🇸👀#SWE | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/T3utj8UvEp
This is Spain’s first-ever appearances in a World Cup semi-final, with Sweden reaching four semi-finals and a final over the years.
Spain kicked off their 2023 World Cup campaign in style, dispatching Costa Rica 3-0 before crushing Zambia 5-0.
Although they suffered a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Japan in their final group game, the Spaniards bounced straight back with a convincing 5-1 victory over Switzerland in the last 16.
On Friday, Spain booked their place in the semi-finals with an extra-time win against the Netherlands, racking up 62% possession and 28 shots during the contest.
Having lost just three of their previous 25 matches across all competitions, Spain will be hopeful of reaching the final in Sydney on Sunday.
Sweden, meanwhile, won all three of their group games to finish five points clear of second-placed South Africa in Group G.
After beating the South Africans 2-1, the Swedes thrashed Italy 5-0 before defeating Argentina 2-0, scoring nine goals while keeping two clean sheets during the group stage.
In the round of 16, Sweden clinched a dramatic penalty shootout triumph over the United States, following 120 minutes of goalless action against the defending champions.
The Swedes then dispatched Japan 2-1 in the quarter-finals, meaning they have avoided defeat inside 90 minutes in each of their previous 17 World Cup encounters.
Head-to-head: Spain and Sweden have faced each other twice over the years, with the Swedes remaining unbeaten in this fixture.
Following a 1-0 victory for Sweden back in 1997, the two sides played out a 1-1 friendly draw in Cordoba last year.
Team news: Spain stars Aitana Bonmati and Jennifer Hermoso have both chalked up three goals and two assists in five World Cup appearances this summer.
As for Sweden, Amanda Illestedt has netted four goals in five matches Down Under, while Rebecka Blomqvist and Fridolina Rolfo have both scored twice.
Although Spain were among the pre-tournament favourites, Sweden’s World Cup experience stands them in good stead.
With that in mind, Forebet predicts that Sweden will edge out Spain on Tuesday. Both teams will likely score, but the Swedes are expected to reach the final.