FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Sweden v Spain at FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Key storylines ahead of the semi-final clash

Sweden and Spain will battle it out on Tuesday (15 August) for a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 final.

Despite a narrow scoreline of 2-1, Spain put on a dominant display against 2019 finalists Netherlands in the quarter-finals to progress through to the tournament’s final four.

Much like their semi-final opponents, Sweden’s winning scoreline of 2-1 over Japan doesn’t do their performance justice. The Swedes commanded the majority of the game and proved worthy winners over 2011 world champions Japan.

The two European sides last came face to face in October 2022 in an international friendly. The game finished 1-1, with goals from Marta Cardona and Rebecka Blomqvist and given the nature of these two sides, a tight game this time round is to be expected.

This edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup has already been a historical one for Spain, after their quarter-final win saw them progress to the semi-finals for the first time in their history.

For Sweden, however, this is their fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final despite never winning the tournament.

Whoever emerges victorious from this fixture will go on to face the winner of Australia v England in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final on Sunday 20 August, 2023.

Olympics.com looks at some of the key storylines ahead of this huge quarter-finals clash.

• FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Full results and standings
• FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Race for the Golden Boot
• FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Guide to the semi-finals

Amanda Ilestedt’s Golden Boot campaign

Having secured four goals and one assist throughout the tournament so far, Sweden’s Amanda Ilestedt could be on course to secure the Golden Boot.

The 30-year-old currently sits third in the table, behind France’s Kadidiatou Diani and Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa both of whom are now out of the competition.

Ilestedt is the only player in the top five who remains at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with England’s suspended Lauren James in sixth and Spain’s Aitana Bonmati in seventh.

As a central defender, Ilestedt isn’t as familiar as others when it comes to finding the back of the net.

Since 2019, she has scored just six goals for her clubs Bayern Munich, PSG and Arsenal, however, her goal scoring ability has suddenly alive for Sweden at the FIFA Women’s World Cup

In 69 appearances for Sweden, she has managed 12 goals - four of which have come this summer.

The Arsenal defender has found success from set pieces and long deliveries into the box. At 5ft 10, Ilestedt has towered above opposition scoring three out of her four goals with her head.

This is a threat that Sweden will be looking to deploy against Spain - a nation who have already conceded six goals at this tournament.

As with their fixture against Japan, Amanda Ilestedt is a player who can make all the difference when it is coming down to the final minutes.

And if she is to go on and win the Golden Boot, it will be the first time in the entire history of the World Cup - both men’s and women’s - that a defender secures the award.

Has Salma Paralluelo earned herself a start?

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the quarter-final between Spain and Netherlands was about to be decided by penalties.

Despite Spain’s impressive performance throughout the 90 minutes, we had already seen similar fixtures decided this way throughout the tournament, from USWNT v Sweden to England v Nigeria.

But, in the 111th minute, Spain were handed a lifeline.

After being substituted on earlier in the game, 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo fired a left-footed shot towards the goal which ricocheted off of the post to hit the back of the net.

Her first ever World Cup goal not only won her nation the match, but rocketed them into their first ever semi-finals at a FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Now, the world has woken up to the talent that is Barcelona’s Paralluelo and fans are questioning whether the winger has earned herself a start in their semi-final against Sweden.

In just 12 appearances for her nation’s senior side, Paralluelo has already netted seven goals - three of which came on her debut against Argentina in November 2022.

Having joined her current club Barcelona in 2022, she has made just five appearances but secured four goals in that time - reiterating the goal power she brings to any side she steps up for.

"She's a very young player who has been training one year in football specifically, and the best of Salma we'll see it in the future,” manager Jorge Vilda told the media after the game.

Whether or not Paralluelo will start against Sweden is yet to be determined, but what we do know is that her ability to impact a game with her goal-scoring threat is second to known.

Zećira Mušović’s unlikely bid for the Golden Glove

Zećira Mušović’s rise to the top has not been easy.

Having made her debut for Sweden in 2018, she has since only racked up 10 appearances for her nation.

In 2019 she was called up to travel to France as part of Sweden’s FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, but failed to step on the pitch as Hedvig Lindahl appeared as first choice.

Her club career of recent years has had a similar story.

Signing for Chelsea in 2021, the 27-year-old has sat second to Ann-Katrin Beger clocking up only 19 appearances for the Women’s Super League champions.

This summer, however, she’s had her chance to shine - and has firmly grasped the opportunity with both hands.

As Swedish veteran goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl was left out of this summer’s squad, it was down to Mušović to step up.

So far, Sweden have conceded just two goals in their five FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 matches - including fixtures against reigning champions USWNT and 2011 champions Sweden.

Despite a solid group stage performance, it wasn’t until Sweden’s game against the USWNT that Mušović really caught the attention of fans across the world.

With USWNT putting on a better attacking display, it was down to the 27-year-old to keep her side in the game.

As she fielded off attempts from Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith, the world marvelled at her composed quick-thinking and strength in front of goal.

Having fought off the world’s best, Mušović will head into Sweden’s semi-final against Spain full of confidence and belief in her ability.