Spain vs Sweden preview: Women’s World Cup 2023 semi-final
High-scoring Spain and physical set-piece specialists Sweden will vie for a spot in the final on Tuesday at Auckland’s Eden Park, setting up a showdown in Sydney with either co-hosts Australia or European champions England for the chance to be crowned a first-time World Cup winner.
La Roja’s only previous semi-final appearance at a major tournament was at the 1997 Euros. They made their World Cup debut in 2015, and their best result prior to this tournament was a last 16 exit four years ago.
After seeing off 2019 runners-up the Netherlands, they are now one win away from a first final and have scored 15 goals in the process, less than a year after 15 players staged a revolt against long-serving coach Jorge Vilda and threatened to quit unless changes were made. Vilda was ultimately backed by the federation in the dispute and only three of the 15 players made it to the World Cup squad.
“If you don’t feel any nerves before a game like this then something is not right,” veteran forward Jenni Hermoso said. “It gives you goose bumps thinking about how close we are to the final. … Spain will come out more determined than ever.
“We have worked so hard to get here. … I want the whole team to enjoy it and for the whole of Spain to be behind us.”
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