Spain to book place in Women’s World Cup quarter-finals with big victory over Switzerland

Switzerland W vs Spain W - 05/08/2023

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Switzerland and Spain meet in the first knockout game of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.

The Swiss booked their place in the last 16 by topping Group A, while the Spaniards reached the knockout phase after finishing second in Group C.

While Spain were among the pre-tournament favourites to lift the trophy, Switzerland entered the World Cup as outsides.

Switzerland kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Philippines, racking up 17 shots while preventing their opponents from registering a single attempt on target.

Following subsequent goalless draws with Norway and New Zealand, the Swiss finished one point clear atop Group A after taking five points from a possible nine.

Not only have Switzerland remained unbeaten Down Under, but they have also kept three successive clean sheets, highlighting their defensive strength.

That’s aid, the Swiss defenders will have to be at their very best to prevent Spain’s talented attacking players from finding the back of the net on Saturday.

As for the Spaniards, they defeated Costa Rica 3-0 in their opening match before thrashing Zambia 5-0, laying down a maker in Group C.

However, the European giants were humiliated by Japan in their final group game, suffering an embarrassing 4-0 defeat on Monday.

Despite enjoying 78% possession against Japan, Spain failed to make the most of their dominance, conceding three first-half goals before Mina Tanaka’s sealing strike.

It goes without saying that Spain will be eager to bounce back from that defeat as quickly as possible, but knockout football is never easy.

Head-to-head: Switzerland and Spain have faced each other three times over the years, with the Spaniards triumphing on two occasions.

Following a 3-2 win for Spain back in 2011, Switzerland won 4-3 in 2012 before the Spaniards defeated the Swiss 2-0 in 2019.

Team news: Switzerland striker Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic – who has scored 71 goals in 147 international appearances – will be determined to get the better of her Barcelona teammates.

Spain’s squad contains nine Barcelona players, including two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and 93-cap defender Irene Paredes.

Regardless of Switzerland’s impressive results so far, Spain shouldn’t struggle to book their place in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Forebet predicts that Spain will secure a high-scoring victory over Switzerland, with the Spaniards also expected to keep a clean sheet in the process.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

wwc

Switzerland W Spain W 05/08/2023 07:00

343036

2

0 - 7

4.09

17°

1.40

9.50 4.33 1.40 no no no

FT

1 - 5(1 - 4)

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