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Australia’s from left, Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr and Steph Catley celebrate after Cortnee Vine kicked the winning penalty goal to defeat France in the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Australia and France in Brisbane, Australia, Saturday, Aug.12, 2023. (Darren England/AAPImage via AP)
With four teams remaining, the Women’s World Cup will be played out over the next week between Spain, Sweden, England, and co-hosts Australia, all vying for their first-ever world title. Giants of the women’s game are absent from the penultimate round with the US, Germany, and France all crashing out of the tournament. With three European nations and Australia left, the field is wide open for one country to snatch its first piece of Women’s World Cup glory.
Spain vs Sweden
Spain took down the Netherlands on the way to its first-ever semifinals. Spanish success in this tournament seemed unlikely just one month ago, but now they’ll face European giants, Sweden in a semifinal showdown.
The Spaniards have been blighted by mutiny in their tournament preparations, making for a less-than-ideal start to the campaign. La Roja wasn’t even sure if their star player — Ballon d’Or Féminin winner Alexia Putellas — would be fit to play and lost 12 players in a revolt against head coach Jorge Vilda in the build-up to the Women’s World Cup.
Somehow, against the odds, they have tallied enough victories to set up a clash with Sweden on Tuesday (4 am ET) in Eden Park, NZ. Deadly in attack, Spain has racked up 15 goals in five matches, Aitana Bonmatí, Jennifer Hermoso, and Alba Redondo have all scored three goals each so far.
Sweden on the other hand plays a different style of football, clinical and set-piece orientated. Amanda Ilestedt has emerged as a top goalscorer from center back for the Swedes with four so far in…
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