Spain already has a rival in the semifinals. It will be the powerful Sweden, experienced in these instances, the one that wages the battle against 'la roja' for the pass to the final. The Nordics beat Japan 2-1 in the quarterfinals and without much trouble got into the top four teams in the World Cup.
The Europeans dominated the start of the match, with a direct game to take advantage of the superiority in height over the Japanese. The scoring was opened by Amanda Ilestedt. A free kick generated several unsuccessful attempts by Japan to clear the ball that was served for the defender to finish and put her team to win at minute 32.
The Asians tried to respond with a more associative game, and although they went into the break with a slight disadvantage, the start of the second half did not bring them any luck. In the 50th minute, the VAR warned of a possible penalty that was finally converted into a goal by midfielder Filippa Angeldahl. Sweden was getting closer and closer to the pass.
Japan returned to the charge and the physical exhaustion of the Swedish team began to generate spaces in their half of the field. Little by little, the Japanese approached the goal defended by Zećira Mušović and had their prize at minute 73 when Riko Ueki was brought down in the area and the maximum penalty was awarded. But today was not Japan's day and to show that Ueki sent the ball over the crossbar.
But the Japanese did not give up and the prize finally fell at the close of the match. In the 87th minute a ball was served to Honoka Hayashi in the area to make it 2-1 on the scoreboard, although it was already too late for them. Despite 10 minutes added time, Sweden held on and sealed their place in the World Cup semifinals.
The appointment against the Spanish will be next Tuesday (10am) at Eden Park in Auckland, the same setting where the Swedes eliminated Japan. Those in blue and yellow arrive after winning their group with victories over Argentina, Italy and South Africa, as well as defeating the United States, current two-time world champions, in the round of 16. Now, undefeated and with a firm step, they left out Japan, which thrashed Spain 4-0 in the group stage.
Earlier, the Spanish were in charge of securing their pass to the semifinals after beating the Netherlands, the current runners-up, in extra time. A goal by Salma Paralluelo in the 111 was decisive for 'the red' to settle for the first time within the four best teams of a major World Cup.
Spain will navigate in unknown waters, while the Swedes are widely aware of these instances. Of the nine World Cups played so far, they have reached the semifinals five times, and in one of them they were finalists. It was in 2003 when they eliminated Canada in the semifinals, only to lose to Germany in the match for the title. Meanwhile, in 1991, 2011, and 2019, they lost in their semifinal matches, to Norway, Japan, and the Netherlands, respectively.
Now they will seek to repeat the feat of 2003 and change destiny to lift their first World Cup, and the challenge will be the Spanish team. Those directed by Jorge Vilda have a historic appointment. They have already reached the quarterfinals and semifinals for the first time, but they will try not to stop there.
