This is only the third time Spain have qualified for the World Cup. They've met the Lionesses 16 times since they first came face-to-face in 1993 - and have only won three games, compared to England's seven.
But their straight run of wins came crashing down in their final fixture, which they lost 4-0 to Japan.It saw them fall to second place - but still allowed them to qualify and redeem themselves in the second round. That game against Switzerland was much more promising with goals from Aitana Bonmati, Jenni Hermoso and Alba Redondo and a 5-1 victory.Next came a 2-1 win against the Netherlands, which had to go to extra time after they equalised with just minutes to go.
Rising star Salma Paralluelo was the first to hit the back of the net - before an equaliser from Sweden's Blomqvist. Again Carmona saved the day to put Spain ahead 2-1, scoring from a corner.Spain's biggest weakness predates the tournament altogether - but could still help England to their first World Cup win.
Eventually three players - Aitana Bonmati, Ona Batlle and Mariona Caldentey - returned and were picked for Vilda's World Cup squad. The 29-year-old Barcelona captain has won back-to-back Ballon d'Ors and no less than seven league titles, seven Copas de la Reinas, and two UEFA Champions League trophies for her club.But after she tore a ligament ahead of last year's Euros, questions remain on how strong she'll prove to be in the final.Instead the team have been relying on her Barcelona teammate Bonmati - who has netted three of Spain's 17 goals.
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