Spain are aiming to reach their first Women’s World Cup final when they face long-established European heavyweights Sweden at Eden Park.
Jorge Vilda’s side have not been at their best in this tournament and needed extra time to see off the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, but have rediscovered a good measure of their poise following the shocking 4-0 group stage defeat to Japan.
A rematch of that encounter looked to be on the cards before Amanda Ilestedt’s first-half goal and a Filippa Angeldahl penalty saw Sweden to a 2-1 victory over Spain’s round-robin tormentors.
Having also downed the United States on penalties, the 2003 finalists are eyeing another big scalp.
The Sporting News is following the Spain vs. Sweden match live, providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as they happen.
Spain vs Sweden live score
| 1st Half | Goal scorers | |
| Spain | — | |
| Sweden | — |
Lineups:
Spain (FORMATION, right to left): TBC
Sweden (FORMATION, right to left): TBC
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Spain vs Sweden live updates, highlights, and commentary
1 hr 40 mins to kickoff: Spain are aiming to reach their first World Cup final, with the women’s game having exploded at club level back in their homeland over recent years, with Barcelona setting an incredible standard in the Champions League. Sweden are a more long-established incumbent at the top table, although World Cup semifinals have not been their friend.
The 2003 finalists came third in the inaugural edition in 1991 and consolation wins in the bronze medal match were also the sum of their efforts in 2011 and 2019. A 4-0 loss to Englandin the final four of Euro 2021 will have done nothing for fans’ sense of foreboding.
2019 🤝 2023
Sweden winning #FIFAWWC Quarter-Finals.
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 15, 2023
2 hours to kickoff: Hello and welcome to the Sporting News’ live coverage of the Women’s World Cup semifinal between Spain and Sweden. The winners will face either co-hosts Australia or European champions England in the final.
Ready. 🇪🇸👊#BeyondGreatness | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/sRmllwYqop
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 15, 2023
Spain vs Sweden lineups, team news
After their humbling defeat to Japan in the group stages Jorge Vilda showed no mercy as he dropped a host of players from the starting lineup, including goalkeeper Maria Rodriguez, captain Ivana Andres and two time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas. Those changes have since been handsomely vindicated.
This means Catalina Coll will remain in goal, while Jennifer Hermoso will continue to play in a deeper midfield role instead of up top as a striker.
Esther Gonzalez will most likely lead the line as captain once again. Salma Paralluelo may have played herself back into the starting lineup after scoring the winning goal against the Netherlands from the bench.
- Spain projected starting lineup (4-3-3): 23. Coll (GK) — 12. Hernandez, 4. Paredes, 14. Codina, 2. Batlle — 6. Bonmati, 3. Abelleira, 10. Hermoso — 18. Paralluelo, 9. Gonzalez, 8. Caldentey
Unlike their opponents, Sweden have kept a settled lineup throughout the tournament, and are unlikely to make any major changes for the semifinal.
Zecira Musovic will need to have another strong game in goal against a Spain attack capable of quickly overwhelming their opponents, but they have only conceded two goals all tournament, which is a testament to their defensive unit as a whole.
Amanda Ilestadt, part of the solid defence, has made headlines at the other end of the pitch, with the centre-back scoring an incredible four goals at the tournament, making her the equal second-best scorer at the tournament and also highlighting Sweden’s threat from set pieces.
Fridolona Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius will presumably start in attack once again and will look to get at Spain’s defence which has shown vulnerability to the counter-attack.
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Spain vs Sweden live stream, TV channel
Fans around the world will be able to watch the Spain vs Sweden match, with the semifinal being available to watch on both TV as well as online live streaming options.
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | FOX | Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (Spanish) |
| UK | BBC One, RTE 2 | BBC iPlayer, RTE Player, BBC Sport Web |
| Australia | Optus Sport, Channel Seven | Optus Sport, 7Plus |
| Canada | TSN1, TSN 4, TSN 5, RDS, CTV | TSN+, RDS app, CTV App, Noovo |
| India | DD Sports | FanCode |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 1 NZ, Prime TV | Sky Sport NOW, Prime TV |
| Singapore | FIFA WWC CH01 | meWATCH |
| Hong Kong | Now Sports Prime | Now Player |
| Malaysia | — | FIFA+ |
Fans in select regions of the world can stream the Women’s World Cup live on FIFA+, including in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand.
- Sweden projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1): 1. Musovic (GK) — 14. Bjorn, 13. Ilestedt, 6. Eriksson, 2. Andersson — 16. Angeldal, 23. Rubensson — 19. Kaneryd, 9. Asllani, 18. Rolfo — 11. Blackstenius