Spain failed to qualify for the first six editions of the Women’s World Cup, but once La Roja made the tournament in 2015 they’ve made a steady climb toward joining the global elite.
Spain scored its first point with a draw in its World Cup debut. Four years later, Spain advanced to the knockout round before it was eliminated by the U.S. team that went on to clinch a second consecutive championship.
The Swedes are playing in a fifth World Cup semifinal: they were runners-up in 2003, finished third three times, and, just to note how consistently strong the Swedes have been, they lost the gold medal match to Canada two years ago at the Tokyo Olympics.“If we’re not nervous, something is not going right,” forward Jenni Hermoso said on the eve of the match. “We have to feel that nervous sense in our stomach and to have the willpower. To reach the final, just thinking about it gives me shivers.
Putellas tore her ACL last year and wasn’t a guarantee to even make Spain’s 23-player roster. The 29-year-old midfielder, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner as the sport’s best player, was a substitute in Spain’s first match of this World Cup, started the second match of group play, but has been used sparingly since.
Sweden has its own player concern with forward Sofia Jakobsson battling an illness ahead of the match. Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson wasn’t sure of Jakobsson’s status against Spain.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Women’s World Cup: Spain’s strikers come crashing into stalwart Dutch defense | August 10, 2023Today’s Women’s World Cup match: Netherlands vs. Spain. Here are the superstars to look for, the stories to follow and all the details on how to watch.
Read more »
Women's World Cup: Sweden to play Spain in semifinals after impressive victory over Japan | CNNSweden will face Spain in the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup after beating Japan 2-1 in a thrilling encounter on Friday.
Read more »
Spain edges Netherlands to reach Women’s World Cup semifinalsSalma Paralluelo, 19, scores deep into extra time to give Spain a 2-1 win and send the sixth-ranked squad into the tournament semifinals for the first time.
Read more »
Women’s World Cup: Sweden and Spain set up a semifinal dateFollowing Japan’s exit, all former women’s World Cup champions have now been eliminated from the field.
Read more »
19-year-old Salma Paralluelo sends Spain to first World Cup semifinal with win over NetherlandsSalma Paralluelo scored the winning goal in extra time to send Spain to its first semifinal appearance in the Women’s World Cup.
Read more »
France coach sends a spoiler alert ahead of the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal against AustraliaHervé Renard's French lineup, who experienced the atmosphere and tension of playing a Women's World Cup quarterfinal on home soil, is projecting that onto Australia's Matildas.
Read more »