Switzerland takes on Spain in an all-European clash in the first match of the round of 16 in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
SUI-W vs SPA-W Match Details
Date: Saturday, 5 August 2023
Time: 10:30 (IST) / 17:00 (NZST)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
SUI-W vs SPA-W Match Preview
Switzerland had to play out another goalless draw to seal their place in the knockouts against New Zealand in their final group-stage game. Once again they had to rely upon their number one Gaelle Thalmann to rescue them. The attack also failed to have a clinical edge for the successive time since the 2-0 win over the Philippines in the opener and after drawing with Norway. La Nati will argue their job was to avoid defeat and they did so professionally. They advanced to the last-16 stage matching the feat in their only other Women’s World Cup participation eight years ago. Switzerland will face a difficult task now to topple the mighty Spain relying on their solidity that has conceded just five goals this year and none in the last four games. While La Roja have scored plenty, the Swiss are willing to make it extremely hard for them to break their record. They are one of the three teams in the final yet to concede a goal. Having drawn seven games this season, the team managed by Inka Grings will hope for another one to force extra time or even penalties. However, their real issue remains their misfiring frontline who have netted just seven goals in 2023.
Spain’s charismatic dominance in the group stages of this finals after slamming Costa Rica 3-0 and Zambia 5-0 came crashing down in the group-deciding battle with Japan. Jorge Vilda's side dominated possession in the last group game as well but the 2011 winners dogged defence and lethal counter confined them to a heavy 4-0 defeat. The result came as a huge surprise and one that left them in the second spot in Group C. It was also the heaviest loss Spain had ever suffered in the Women’s World Cup final. All the enthusiasm and positivity from the first two games were evaporated and the absence of certain players was felt. Still, a last-16 berth will give them motivation although their elimination from the same stage four years ago is a reminder of not taking things lightly. Also considering the bag full of shocking results this expanded Women’s World Cup has gifted so far. La Roja have beaten Switzerland twice in three meetings so far and other than the Japan game, found the back of the net in every game in a year’s time. The only problem for them is to break La Nati’s unreal solidity and avoid facing a similar strategy from the opposition on getting hit by counters. The only loss suffered by La Roja against the Swiss was also by conceding four goals, 4-3 in June 2012. The last time they conceded this many.
Recent Form (Women’s World Cup)
SUI-W: DDW
SPA-W: LWW
SUI-W vs SPA-W Team News
Switzerland are expected to remain unchanged from their last group-stage game against New Zealand. Keeping a clean sheet in each of the group matches, Gaelle Thalmann will be the undisputed choice between the sticks. Despite lacking goals, the trio of Seraina Piubel, Ramona Bachmann and Ana Maria Crnogorcevic all will start the clash. The Barcelona striker is the only one without a goal so far and will be hoping to add to her record-scoring tally for her country against some of her clubmates.
For Spain, the major worry lies with the fitness of Ivana Andres. The captain’s absence due to a calf injury was hugely felt as La Roja was demolished by Japan in the last group match. Aside from that, the team is largely the same with few tweaks expected to happen in the starting eleven. One of them could be the addition of Alba Redondo or Esther Gonzalez to go in the forward line alongside Jenni Hermoso. The midfield trio of Aitana Bonmati, Teresa Abelleira and Alexia Putellas should remain intact.
SUI-W vs SPA-W Predicted Lineups
SUI-W: Thalmann; Aigbogun, Maritz, Stierli, Riesen; Sow, Walti, Reuteler; Piubel, Bachmann, Crnogorcevic
SPA-W: Misa; Batlle, Paredes, Ivana, Carmona; Bonmati, Abelleira, Putellas; Paralluelo, Hermoso, Redondo
SUI-W vs SPA-W Head to Head
Played: 3
SUI-W won: 1
Drawn: 0
SPA-W won: 2
SUI-W vs SPA-W Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Thalmann (Cr - 8, Pts - 136)
DEF: Aigboun (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 121), Maritz (Cr - 9, Pts - 126), Batlle (Cr - 9, Pts - 130)
MID: Piubel (Cr - 9, Pts - 131), Abelleira (Cr - 9, Pts - 185), Sow (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 117), Bonmati (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 131),
FW: Redondo (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 126), Crnogorcevic (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 63), Hermoso (Cr - 9, Pts - 233)
Vice-captain: Teresa Abelleira
Captain: Jenni Hermoso
Goalkeeper Gaelle Thalmann has not conceded a goal in 270 minutes and is joint clean-sheet holder with three. She also made 8 crucial saves in the tournament with a 100% save percentage.
Teresa Abelleira has created the most chances in this Women’s World Cup with 14. That is at least five more than any other player in the tournament. She also leads the chart with the most accurate passes played per 90.
Jenni Hermoso has scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist for Spain. The 33-year-old has also created 6 chances.
