Spanish cohesion to be tested by determined Sweden

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. The two teams will vie for a spot in the final at Auckland's Eden Park on Tuesday, setting up a showdown in Sydney with either co-hosts Australia or European champions England for the chance to be crowned a first-time World Cup winner. "It's going to be a high-pressure Spain and high-pressure Sweden," Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson said. "For me, it's lovely football." Sweden are the highest-ranked nation remaining - at world number three - and are appearing at their fifth World Cup semi-final. They have played in all nine editions but only reached the final once, when they lost to Germany in 2003. The Scandinavians have not won a major trophy since the inaugural 1984 Euros, when only four teams took part. They also reached the semi-finals of last year's Euros and the 2019 World Cup, and have been runners-up at the last two Olympics. Sweden won all three group games this tournament and dispatched two World Cup winners - the United States and Japan - in the knockouts. They will be confident of continuing that momentum against Spain, who have never reached the last four of the showpiece tournament. "We have the benefit of experience," captain Kosovare Asllani said. "We have gone far in the last few tournaments but I am particularly pleased with the way we have done it this time. "We have won our matches in different ways and it shows the strength of this team."

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