LIVE: Sweden and Spain are locked in a thrilling semi-final at the Women’s World Cup in Auckland, with both sides hoping to become the first team to book their place in the decider this weekend.
Spain dominated most of the first half, with two-thirds of possession, but couldn’t convert their three shots.
Olga Carmona’s long-range strike went just wide of the post, but Sweden nearly hit the lead agianst the run of play when Friolina Rolfo rifled a first-time shot from the back post towards the bottom-left corner, drawing a brilliant save.
Sweden came out firing in the second half, but Spain was given a new lease on life after the introduction of Salma Paralluelo sparked their attack to a new level.
The substitute teed up Alba Redondo in the 71st minute for one of the best chances of the match, but Redondo was already on the ground and her first-time shot was sliced narrowly wide.
World number three Sweden, the highest-ranking team left in the tournament – beat Japan 2-1 on Friday to reach their third semi-final in the last four World Cups, and their fifth overall, but they have never gone on to win the tournament.
They have finished runners-up once in 2003, and in third place four times.
Peter Gerhardsson’s side were also semi-finalists at last year’s European Championship and have been beaten finalists at the last two Olympics.
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In contrast to Sweden’s vast experience of this stage, it will be Spain’s first World Cup semi-final.
Indeed, it is Spain’s first semi-final appearance of any sort since the 1997 European Championship.
But they are boosted by the return of two-time reigning Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas to the starting line-up for the semi-final.
29-year-old Putellas started two group stage games but came off the bench in the two knockout matches, and has not played a full 90 minutes since tearing her ACL in July 2022.
The midfielder has averaged just 31 minutes a game this tournament.
Her inclusion is one of two changes to Spain’s starting XI, with Olga Carmona also entering the team for the suspended Oihane Hernandez. Esther Gonzalez is the other player to make way.
Meanwhile Sweden make no changes to the starting line-up who defeated Japan.
World Cup Semi-final 1
Sweden vs Spain
When: Tuesday, August 15
Where: Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
Kickoff: 8pm local (6pm AEST)
MATCH CENTRE: Teams, stats, and more!
TEAMS
Sweden XI: Musovic; Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldahl, Asslani, Rubensson; Kaneryd, Blackstenius, Rolfo
Spain XI: Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Codina, Carmona; Bonmati, Abelleira, Putellas; Redondo, Caldentey; Hermoso.
Follow the action in our live blog below! If you can’t see the blog, click here.
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PREVIEW
Sweden are ranked third in the world and have shown why, topping their group with three wins out of three before they defeated holders the United States on penalties in the last 16.
They then blew away Japan in the first hour of the quarter-final before surviving a late storm.
In Amanda Ilestedt they have an unlikely contender to win the golden boot. The Arsenal defender has scored four goals, more than any other player still at the tournament and one behind Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa.
The only recent meeting between Spain and Sweden dates back to last October, when they drew 1-1 in a friendly in Cordoba. Spain has never beaten Sweden in their 11 meetings, with Sweden winning seven of those.
That October game was played just after 15 Spain players told their federation they no longer wished to be considered for selection, principally out of unhappiness with coach Jorge Vilda.
He survived that rebellion to retain his job, and three of the rebels returned for the World Cup in full-back Ona Batlle, forward Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati, the brilliant midfielder who has been one of the tournament’s best players.
“That is in the past now. It was a difficult situation for all of us but now we are all united and focused on our goal of reaching the final,” midfielder Irene Guerrero said on Sunday.
Vilda added: “We have a (federation) president who reacted bravely, who backed me and my staff.
“Now there is unity in the squad, everyone is getting on, they are ambitious and trying to enjoy every day.”
In contrast to Sweden’s vast experience of this stage, it will be Spain’s first World Cup semi-final.
Indeed, it is sixth-ranked Spain’s first semi-final appearance of any sort since the 1997 European Championship.
Their World Cup began in promising fashion as they eased to wins over Costa Rica and Zambia, but a 4-0 hammering by Japan suggested they had work to do.
They bounced back to thrash Switzerland 5-1 before edging out 2019 runners-up the Netherlands in the quarter-finals thanks to Salma Paralluelo’s extra-time winner.
Spain’s lack of experience at this stage of a major tournament is tempered by the fact so many members of their squad play for Barcelona, who have reached four UEFA Champions League finals in the last five years.
“They do have an advantage because it is the fifth time they have been in the semi-finals, but we have players who are experienced too, who have played in finals and other important matches,” said Guerrero.
Spain will be without Oihane Hernandez as the full-back serves a suspension.
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