Spain has never before advanced this far into the Women's World Cup and makes its first appearance in the semifinals against powerhouse Sweden.
The Swedes are playing in a fifth World Cup semifinal: they were runners-up in 2003, finished third three times, and, just to note how consistently strong the Swedes have been, they lost the gold medal match to Canada two years ago at the Tokyo Olympics.“If we’re not nervous, something is not going right,” forward Jenni Hermoso said on the eve of the match. “We have to feel that nervous sense in our stomach and to have the willpower. To reach the final, just thinking about it gives me shivers.
Putellas tore her ACL last year and wasn’t a guarantee to even make Spain’s 23-player roster. The 29-year-old midfielder, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner as the sport’s best player, was a substitute in Spain’s first match of this World Cup, started the second match of group play, but has been used sparingly since.
Sweden has its own player concern with forward Sofia Jakobsson battling an illness ahead of the match. Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson wasn’t sure of Jakobsson’s status against Spain.
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