FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 : Spain vs Sweden Match preview, team news, possible lineups and every details

The first semi-final match of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 is set to be held between Spain and Sweden. Spain in this tournament have the most high scoring team and Sweden on the other hand, have taken full advantage of their set pieces. So here's the preview of Spain vs Sweden in order to give you an idea of what you can expect from the match.

Read Also : FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Semi-Finals matches schedules and fixtures

Spain vs Sweden

Match Information

Date : 15 August, 2023

Venue : Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand

Time : GMT - 8:00 pm IST - 1:30 pm

Live Streaming : Fancode and DD sports

Match preview

Spain's journey to the semi final stage was fairly unpredictable. In the group stages they lost to Japan but since then they've been brilliant. They defeated Switzerland 5-1 in the quarterfinal stage and proceeded into the semi final stage where they met a strong Netherlands side, who were one of the favorites to win it this time around.

But Spain had other ideas. They defeated Netherlands 2-1 in extra time and made a statement. The momentum appeared to have shifted in the Dutch team's favour  when Stefanie Van der Gragt scored a stoppage-time equaliser in reply to Mariona Caldentey's first-half penalty, but Spain came back with an extra time winner, thanks to Barcelona youngsters Salma Paralluelo.

Spain are now preparing to appear in a major tournament semi-final for the first time since reaching the final four of the 1997 European Championships.

Statement by Nathalie Bjorn, Sweden defender

"It's good that we played against USA and Japan prior to this game because Spain are a bit of a mixture of the two: with the way they keep possession and their physicality. It's not by accident that we've got this far and we really believe in ourselves right now. We're hoping to get a good result against Spain."

Sweden on the other hand have surprised everyone. Sweden have defeated 4 time winners USA and 1 time winners Japan in the course of subsequent matches. They defeated USA, in the Round of 16 games in penalty shootouts. No one expected Sweden to come out of the game victorious, though USA haven't been their best in this World Cup but they did.

Japan entered the contest in impressive form after winning their opening four games of the tournament by a combined 14-1 scoreline, 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 courtesy of a Filippa Angeldahl penalty, before Japan spurned their chance to score from the spot when Riko Ueki thumped her effort against the crossbar. Although Japan eventually pulled a goal back through Honoka Hayashi, the Europeans held firm to book their place in the World Cup semi-finals for the fifth time in their history.

Team news

After expending a huge amount of effort over normal and extra time of their high-intensity quarter-final tussle with the Netherlands, the focus in the Spain camp will have been on recovery and injury management. Midfielder Aitana Bonmati and defender Laia Codina are both carrying muscular injuries, but the duo are expected to be passed fit to start.

What will coach Jorge Vilda's decision be when it comes to Salma Paralluelo, scorer of his side's quarter-final winner? Will the speedy forward be used again as an impact sub or given a starting spot? Missing out through suspension is Oihane Hernandez.

For Sweden, Kosovare Asllani left the pitch with a heavily strapped leg but insisted she will be fit to face the Spanish. Veteran captain Caroline Seger continues to struggle with her fitness, however.

Spain vs Sweden Possible lineups

Spain Women possible starting lineup:
Coll; Hernandez, Paredes, Ivana, Batlle; Bonmati, Abelleira, Hermoso; Paralluelo, Caldentey, Gonzalez

Sweden Women possible starting lineup:
Musovic; Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldahl, Rubensson; Rytting Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfo; Blackstenius