Everything you must learn about Spain earlier than they face the Lionesses within the World Cup ultimate

For the primary time in girls’s footballing historical past England are by to the World Cup ultimate.

After beating co-hosts Australia 3-1 on Wednesday, they’ll play Spain within the ultimate this weekend.

La Roja have been the primary group to safe their place within the final two – however how a lot of a risk are they to the Lionesses?

Here Sky News appears at every thing it is advisable know.

Route to the ultimate

Spain have been the clear favourites to win their group – having been drawn with Costa Rica, Zambia and Japan.

They started their Group C marketing campaign with stable 3-0 and 5-0 wins in opposition to Costa Rica and Zambia respectively.

But their straight run of wins got here crashing down of their ultimate fixture, which they misplaced 4-0 to Japan.

It noticed them fall to second place – however nonetheless allowed them to qualify and redeem themselves within the second spherical. That sport in opposition to Switzerland was way more promising with objectives from Aitana Bonmati, Jenni Hermoso and Alba Redondo and a 5-1 victory.

Next got here a 2-1 win in opposition to the Netherlands, which needed to go to additional time after they equalised with simply minutes to go. Spain went by when left-back Olga Carmona stepped up with a shot off the bar to regain the lead.

La Roja’s semi-final in opposition to Sweden adopted an identical sample – however left followers on the sting of their seats till the ultimate quarter-hour when all three objectives got here in fast succession.

Rising star Salma Paralluelo was the primary to hit the again of the web – earlier than an equaliser from Sweden’s Blomqvist. Again Carmona saved the day to place Spain forward 2-1, scoring from a nook.

Pre-World Cup mutiny

Spain’s greatest weak point predates the event altogether – however might nonetheless assist England to their first World Cup win.

In late 2022 15 Spanish gamers declared themselves unavailable for choice over claims coach Jorge Vilda and his backroom group had turn out to be unconcerned with their emotional and bodily wellbeing.

The Spanish federation (RFEF) determined to again Vilda, who took over in 2015 after his predecessor Ignacio Quereda didn’t get Spain by the group levels of the World Cup in Canada.

Eventually three gamers – Aitana Bonmati, Ona Batlle and Mariona Caldentey – returned and have been picked for Vilda’s World Cup squad.

But when Spain suffered their sudden and humiliating defeat in opposition to Japan within the group stage, followers have been left questioning whether or not the hangover from the mass walk-out was in charge.

Ones to observe

In regular circumstances, Spain’s star participant Alexia Putellas would normally pose the most important risk.

The 29-year-old Barcelona captain has gained back-to-back Ballon d’Ors and a minimum of seven league titles, seven Copas de la Reinas, and two UEFA Champions League trophies for her membership.

But after she tore a ligament forward of final yr’s Euros, questions stay on how robust she’ll show to be within the ultimate.

She’s solely been in a position to begin two of Spain’s World Cup video games thus far.

Instead the group have been counting on her Barcelona teammate Bonmati – who has netted three of Spain’s 17 objectives.

Nineteen-year-old Salma Paralluelo is one other key participant – having scored in two video games this event.

Vilda has solely performed her as a second-half substitute thus far, but when Putellas is not feeling robust sufficient on the day – he would possibly change her to the beginning line.

Spain’s goalkeeper Cata Coll is comparatively inexperienced however is effectively supported by defenders Carmona and Battle.

Record thus far

This is barely the third time Spain have certified for the World Cup.

But since they first made an look in 2015 they’ve made fast progress.

Most of their success has nonetheless been on the Euros, nevertheless, having reached the quarter finals final yr. By distinction till this yr they’d solely ever gained a single World Cup match.

The nationwide group is at present ranked sixth on the planet, behind rivals England in fourth.

Read extra:
Everything you need to know about the World Cup
Non-league match abandoned over racist comment
Boy’s wheelchair hit with flare at football match

At membership stage, their most important home league – Liga F – is now absolutely skilled and with World Cup victories final yr for the under-17 and under-20 squads, funding and perception within the girls’s sport there’s robust.

Last time they confronted England – within the 2022 Euro quarter finals – they misplaced 2-1.

They’ve met the Lionesses 16 instances since they first got here face-to-face in 1993 – and have solely gained three video games, in comparison with England’s seven. They’ve drawn on six events.