Spain will face Sweden in the first 2023 Womenâs 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 Spainâs 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 Rolfö, 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, Spainâs key player, two-time Ballon dâOr 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 Putellasâ health ahead of the match vs. Sweden
On Monday, Spainâs coach, Jorge Vilda, refrained from confirming how Putellas would be deployed against Sweden. âWe are very happy with the level Alexia has reached. Weâve noticed this since the first day of training,â Vilda said, according to AP.
âItâs true that she is in the process of recovering from a nine- or ten-month injury. Weâve adapted⊠and Alexia is prepared for anything,â he added. However, itâs true that Putellas has been underused during the World Cup.
The 29-year-old midfielder started as a substitute in Spainâs opening match. Despite participating in all five games, she hasnât played for over an hour in any of them. While she hasnât scored any goals, she does have an assist in the tournament.
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In her âabsence,â Spainâs 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.
