England “ready to fight” vows Walsh ahead of WC semi-final
Spain face Sweden in the first Women’s World Cup semi-final as both nations go in search of their first tournament crown.
Sweden produced their best performance of the World Cup to defeat Japan 2-1 in the quarter-finals, knocking out the team of the tournament with a display of high-tempo pressing while continuing to take their chances at set-pieces. Centre-back Amanda Ilestedt is Sweden’s top-scorer with four goals so far, with the defender in the race for the World Cup golden boot.
Spain required Salma Paralluelo’s extra-time goal to defeat Netherlands and have navigated a player mutiny under head coach Jorge Vilda to reach their first ever World Cup semi-final. Despite uncertainty off the field, Spain have shone on it, led by Barcelona stars Aitana Bonmati and the returning Alexia Putellas. The winner will play either England or Australia in Sunday’s World Cup final.
Follow live updates from Spain vs Sweden as the semi-finals get underway, and get all the latest Women’s World Cup odds here
Women’s World Cup LIVE: Spain vs Sweden
Spain face Sweden in the Women’s World Cup semi-finals, live on BBC OneSpain are looking to reach their first ever Women’s World Cup final at Auckland’s Eden Park Sweden have fallen short at recent major tournaments but impressed in knocking out JapanSpain XI: Coll; Batlle, Parades , Codina, Carmona; Teresa, Bonmati, Putellas; Redondo, Hermoso, MarionaSweden XI: Musovic; Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldahl, Rubensson; Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfo; BlacksteniusThe winner will play either England or Australia in Sunday’s World Cup final in SydneyShow latest update
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Australia is having a moment — will Sam Kerr finally get hers against England?
As Sam Kerr declared herself “ready to go”, it was a warning for England that her World Cup has yet to start. With the Matildas enjoying their moment as Australia is gripped by World Cup fever ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final against the Lionesses, it will not have gone unnoticed in the England camp that Kerr has yet to have hers. Without a goal and without a start in the World Cup, the Australia captain has been building towards the stage where she can make her most important contribution. Indeed, if there was ever a team who knows that you don’t keep the striker quiet for long, it would be Australia’s next opponents.
When it comes to the big occasions, Kerr often proves to be inevitable. Kerr’s goals have strengthened Chelsea’s domestic dominance since signing for the club in 2019 but it is the timing of them that has led to her fearsome reputation. Before last season’s FA Cup final, she confidently pointed out that she had never played at Wembley and not won a trophy. When she scored the winner against Manchester United, she extended her remarkable record in domestic cup finals to 10 goals in seven appearances, including the last six in a row.
Mike Jones15 August 2023 09:59
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Former England international, Sue Smith, said: “As expected it has been a very tight and cagey game. Still a tough one to call, a couple of opportunities but not many.”
She’s not wrong and based on the first half, which ever team scores first could go on to win this game.
Mike Jones15 August 2023 09:55
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Women’s World Cup: Spain 0-0 Sweden
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Mike Jones15 August 2023 09:51
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Women’s World Cup: Spain 0-0 Sweden
45+1 mins: The whistle goes to bring an entertaining first half to a close. There’s been no goals yet but these sides are evenly matched and this World Cup semi-final could go either way.
There’s been a couple of opportunities at either end with the best one falling to Fridolina Rolfo at the end of the first half. It’s all still to play for at Eden Park.
Mike Jones15 August 2023 09:47
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Women’s World Cup: Spain 0-0 Sweden
42 mins: Save! Sweden create the best chance of the after Spain lose possession deep in their own half. Nathalie Bjorn intercepts a pass and lifts a cross over to the back post.
Fridolina Rolfo shifts her feet and hits a volley towards the nearest post but Cata Coll drops to her right and palms the ball wide of the goal!
Big save from the Spaniard!
Mike Jones15 August 2023 09:43
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Women’s World Cup: Spain 0-0 Sweden
39 mins: Chance! Spain move the ball quickly into the midfield and send it up to Aitana Bonmati on the edge of the box. She spins towards goal, takes the ball to the right and lets fly but pings her effort just wide of the far post.
A decent shot but Bonmati doesn’t trouble the goalkeeper.
Mike Jones15 August 2023 09:39
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Women’s World Cup: Spain 0-0 Sweden
36 mins: There’s no way through for Spain from this set piece either as Sweden get everyone back to defend the goal. The ball drops to Redondo over by the back post but she’s shrugged off it by Rolfo who belts the ball long.
Mike Jones15 August 2023 09:36
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Women’s World Cup: Spain 0-0 Sweden
33 mins: Filippa Angedal is shoved in the back and goes to ground. She thinks it is a foul and tries to grab the ball for a quick reset but the referee hasn’t blown the whistle. Instead, beacuase she handled the ball, Angedal gives away a free kick of her own.
Spain curl the ball into the box and recover it for the second phase following Sweden’s clearance. The next cross is whipped in from the right and heads out for a corner.
Mike Jones15 August 2023 09:35
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Women’s World Cup: Spain 0-0 Sweden
Sweden chip the ball down the right wing and send Johanna Rytting Kaneryd racing against Olga Carmona. Carmona gets to the ball first despite being slightly slower and she knocks it into the path of Laia Codina.
Spain take three passes to get the ball out from their own box and they’re away on the counter-attack.
Mike Jones15 August 2023 09:32
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Women’s World Cup: Spain 0-0 Sweden
27 mins: Jonna Andersson comes to the rescue for Sweden after Mariona Caldentey flicks the ball into the box. The Swedish defender sees Alba Redondo arriving off her shoulder and ease ahead of the forward to nod the ball away.
Jennifer Hermoso can’t control a header of her own and Sweden scoop the ball away.
Mike Jones15 August 2023 09:28
