2023 Women’s World Cup semi-finals: Sweden vs Spain – Match preview, live stream, kick-off time, prediction, team news, lineups
The 2023 Women’s World Cup semi-finals kick off on Tuesday when Spain take on Sweden at Eden Park on Tuesday.
Spain’s last-8 match against the Netherlands saw them playout 120 minutes to seal their spot in the semis, while Sweden bested Japan in their quarter-final match.
Match Preview
WTX Sport predicts Sweden 2-1 Spain
Sweden have proven how tough they are – and adaptable, with a solid defence. Whilst this tight will see two tough opponents battle it out, with lots of spirits, we reckon Sweden will find a way to best Spain’s threat and eke out another win to secure a place in the final.
Spain preview
Spain created history at the 2023 World Cup having thrashed Switzerland 5-1 in the last-16 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their women’s team history.
Their quarter-final tie against the Netherlands, saw them prevail after 120 minutes of captivating action.
The momentum appeared to swing in favour of the Dutch when Stefanie Van der Gragt scored a stoppage-time equaliser to cancel out Mariona Caldentey’s first-half penalty, but Spain wrestled back control to find a winner in extra-time courtesy of Barcelona youngster Salma Paralluelo.
It’ll mark Spain’s first appearance in a major tournament semi-final since reaching the final four of the 1997 European Championships.
Spain have secured the most amount of goals in the tournament so far – a total of 15 and they will be looking to showcase their scoring prowess again.
Spain have won all games except their group stage game against Japan – which saw them lose 4-0. Despite only having 22% possession, Japan were deadly on the counter-attack and exposed Spain’s weaknesses.
Sweden preview
Sweden have so far won every match so far. They took on and ousted the defending champions USA in a dramatic penalty shootout, and then beat off a difficult Japan in the quarters.
After the US were out, Japan were widley tipped to be favourites – they had exceptional form throughout. But Sweden showed no signs of fear and quickly asserted their authority in a dominant first-half display, taking the lead in the 32nd minute thanks to Amanda Ilestedt’s fourth goal of the competition.
Sweden doubled their advantage within six minutes of the restart thanks to a Filippa Angeldahl penalty, before Japan spurned their chance to score from the spot when Riko Ueki thumped her effort against the crossbar.
Japan was able to pull a goal back but it wasn’t enough to change the game and the Europeans held strong to book their spot in the semis for the fifth time in their history.
Sweden are no stranger to struggling at this stage of the competition, losing three of their previous four semi-final appearances. But they will go into this tournament knowing theyv’e faced two of the toughest teams: USA and Japan, and came out on top.
Team News
After being forced off in the second half against the Netherlands, Spain’s Laia Codina is a doubt for Tuesday’s semi-final tie.
Aitana Bonmati picked up a knock in the quarter-final victory, but the Barcelona midfielder is expected to be fit to take her place in the lineup.
Paralluelo, who dropped out of the side on Friday, is set to return to the Spain frontline after coming off the bench to score the winning goal against the Dutch.
As for Sweden, Peter Gerhardsson may be tempted to select the same starting lineup for the third consecutive game.
Ilestedt will resume her formidable central defensive partnership with Magdalena Eriksson, while Nathalie Bjorn and Jonna Andersson will operate as the two-full backs.
Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius will continue to lead the line, while the width will be provided by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Fridolina Rolfo.
Spain possible starting lineup:
Coll; Hernandez, Paredes, Ivana, Batlle; Bonmati, Abelleira, Hermoso; Paralluelo, Caldentey, Gonzalez
Sweden possible starting lineup:
Musovic; Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldahl, Rubensson; Rytting Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfo; Blackstenius