One of four remaining teams will lift the Women’s World Cup trophy at the weekend, but first the semi-finals stand between Spain, Sweden, Australia, England and the final.
There is already guaranteed to be a new champion. It is even already certain that there will be at least one new finalist, with Sweden the only one of the quartet to have got there before.
England’s only previous final appearances have been at continental level, while for Spain and Australia this year represents at first time reaching these latter stages of the World Cup.
Sweden have proven in both knockout rounds so far that they are capable of digging and grinding out victories. They aren’t as technically polished as Spain, but they weren’t on Japan’s level in that respect in the quarter-finals and made the hitherto best team in the tournament look quite ordinary.
The Swedes, who finished fourth at the last World Cup in 2019, reached the semi-finals at Euro 2022 a year ago and have played in both of the last two Olympic finals. They still haven’t lifted a trophy since 1984, yet the resilience in this squad could end up changing that.
For a generational Spain squad, albeit missing a few of the country’s best players because of the ongoing dispute around the working environment in the national team setup, getting to the semi-finals and no further won’t feel good enough, despite already being a best ever World Cup result.
The midfield battle is going to be particularly crucial, where the technical possession of Aitana Bonmati and Teresa Abelleira will meet the all-action grit of Filippa Angeldahl and Elin Rubensson.
Prediction: Spain 1-1 Sweden (Sweden to win on penalties)
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For one of Australia or England, history will be made as one will get to a first ever World Cup final. England have got to the last four in each of the last two World Cup, finishing third in 2015 and fourth in 2019, whereas as Australia are already breaking new ground just by getting this far.
The hosts have been getting better and better since an inauspicious start against Republic of Ireland and Nigeria. What’s more, they have continued to do it without star player and captain Sam Kerr in the starting XI, only coming off the bench in the knockout rounds since returning from a calf injury.
England haven’t been the same side that reached the Euro 2022 semi-finals on home soil last summer and proceeded to blow Sweden away in an epic performance. Their progression this time has been much more about grit and resilience, digging during wins over Nigeria and Colombia.
Even with Lauren James still suspended, England did have other players like Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp step up in the last round. But Australia are riding a wave on home advantage that just keeps growing, while they also remain the only team to beat England in 37 official games since 2021.
Prediction: Australia 2-1 England (aet)
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