Victories for Spain and Sweden set up mouthwatering World Cup semi-final tie

11.08.2023 - 10:27 euronews.com

It's official! The first of two Women's World Cup semi-final clashes has been confirmed, as Spain and Sweden saw off competition from the Netherlands and Japan, respectively, to set up a mouthwatering match-up in Aukland next Tuesday.Despite a dominant performance throughout, Spain left it late to defeat the Netherlands 2-1 in the Women's World Cup quarter-final tie and move one step closer to next Sunday's final in Sydney.

Spain produced a fine performance to beat title contenders Japan 2-1 at Auckland's Eden Park. It was Spain's teenage super-sub Salma Paralluelo who came off the bench to net a 111th-minute winner, securing her country's place in a World Cup semi-final for the first time.Supporters at the Wellington Regional Stadium in New Zealand were made to wait until the 80th minute before the deadlock was broken.

Mariona Caldentey struck home a penalty after VAR judged the Netherlands' Stefanie van der Gragt to have handled the ball in the box.The Dutch defender quickly made amends for her error, by rifling home an equaliser in stoppage time.

But Van der Gragt's side, runners-up in 2019, were left to rue missed chances in extra time when Juventus forward Lineth Beerensteyn blazed her shot over the bar from close range with the score level.

Juventus country UPS performer cup Semi-final Esther González Eden Park Sweden Netherlands Spain Norway Japan New Zealand

Sweden’s forward #15 Rebecca Blomkvist celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup semi-final football match between Spain and Sweden at Eden Park in Auckland on August 15, 2023. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

Spain's late match heroics sends squad to Women's World Cup final

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Sweden and Spain gear up for 'high pressure' World Cup semi-final

SYDNEY : The penultimate stage of a major tournament is familiar territory for Sweden and although they have failed to clear that hurdle several times recently, that strong pedigree could serve them well against Spain in their Women's World Cup semi-final.

Sweden's Rolfo no longer cheering for Spain at World Cup

Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo has been cheering on her Barcelona team mates playing for Spain at the Women's World Cup but will now hope to send them packing from the tournament after Tuesday's semi-final.

Sweden cling on to set up semi-final with Spain

Sweden held off a late Japan fightback to reach the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup for the fifth time with a 2-1 win at Eden Park on Friday, leaving the tournament without a former winner in the last four. Five days after ousting four-time champions the United States in the last 16, the Swedes dominated the 2011 title winners for most of the evening to set up a semi-final against Spain at the same stadium on Tuesday. Defender Amanda Ilestedt gave Sweden the lead with her fourth goal of the tournament in the 32nd minute with Filippa Angeldal adding the second from the penalty spot just after the break. Japan never gave up the fight but Riko Ueki missed a 76th-minute penalty and her fellow substitute Honoka Hayashi's goal 11 minutes later proved too little, too late as Sweden held firm under immense stoppage-time pressure to progress.