Spain will face Sweden in the first 2023 Womenās World Cup semi-final on Tuesday at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. While the Swedes have played five matches in this tournament, this will be Spainās first appearance in the semifinals of a major tournament since the 1997 European Championships.
Despite Sweden being favorites with players like Amanda Ilestedt and Fridolina Rolfƶ, Spain also boasts renowned players in their lineup, including Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati, who has scored three goals in the tournament so far.
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However, Spainās key player, two-time Ballon dāOr winner Alexia Putellas, is still awaiting her standout moment in the tournament as she came to Australia and New Zealand still recovering from her ACL injury from last year. Will she play the full match against Sweden?
Jorge Vilda speaks on Alexia Putellasā health ahead of the match vs. Sweden
On Monday, Spainās coach, Jorge Vilda, refrained from confirming how Putellas would be deployed against Sweden. āWe are very happy with the level Alexia has reached. Weāve noticed this since the first day of training,ā Vilda said, according to AP.
āItās true that she is in the process of recovering from a nine- or ten-month injury. Weāve adaptedā¦ and Alexia is prepared for anything,ā he added. However, itās true that Putellas has been underused during the World Cup.
The 29-year-old midfielder started as a substitute in Spainās opening match. Despite participating in all five games, she hasnāt played for over an hour in any of them. While she hasnāt scored any goals, she does have an assist in the tournament.
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In her āabsence,ā Spainās leading scorers have been Bonmati, as well as Jenni Hermoso and Alba Maria Redondo Ferrer. Meanwhile, Salma Paralluelo scored the winning goal in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands.
