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 the competition.
The Scandinavians have come agonizingly close in the past, finishing third three times and losing in the 2003 final to Germany. This is Blågult’s fifth Women’s World Cup semifinal appearance. Its greatest achievement of the tournament so far was overcoming the US in a penalty shootout to knock out the defending champions. Sweden defeated Japan 2-1 in the quarterfinals and is the highest-ranked team remaining in the tournament.
Favorites: Spain (+105)
Australia vs England
European champions England will take on the home nation in what promises to be an interesting clash. Both countries share a rich and complicated history, but this is the first time they’ll meet on a soccer pitch.
England will enter Stadium Australia as the favorite, but Australia has shown since the group stages that this team will not be counted out, especially with the support of its home fans. Both nations will hope to make history with a place in the final on the line on Wednesday (6 am ET).
The unbeaten Matildas edged past France 7-6 in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals, Cortnee Vine’s spot kick securing them a place in the next round. Australia’s captain Sam Kerr is back on the field after a calf injury, which should provide another layer of depth to an already dynamic attack. For a chance to lift the Women’s World Cup trophy in its backyard, Australia must overcome a well-rounded English side.
England qualified for the semifinals with a 2-1 win over Colombia. In the Round of 16, it took a penalty shootout to decide a scoreless clash with Nigeria, but the Lionesses prevailed. This is not new territory for the away team. England has bowed out of the last two Women’s World Cups at the semi-final stage with losses to Japan and USA.
Favorites: England (+130)
Odds courtesy of DraftKings. For more, click here.
