The World Cup in Australia and New Zealand reaches its last week. After beginning on July 21 with 32 groups in competition, there are solely 4 left, together with the Spanish, to struggle for the title and certainly one of them will make historical past as a result of the occasion will crown a brand new world champion.
The US, champions of the final two editions, misplaced within the spherical of 16 to Sweden, double champions Germany didn’t even make it previous the group stage, and Norway, champions in 1995, was knocked out by 2011 champions Japan, who was the one which survived the longest, additionally saying goodbye to the Swedes within the quarterfinals. Now, Spain, Sweden, Australia and England search to make historical past and we briefly assessment these 4 last candidates.
1. Spain. Quantity six within the FIFA world rating. The staff led by Jorge Vilda has lastly been capable of break the wall in a serious worldwide competitors and is 2 video games away from profitable a title, one thing that had solely occurred in 1997 within the Eurocup, shedding 2-1 within the semifinals towards Italy. The Spanish staff is the one one of many 4 that doesn’t have any title at an absolute degree and the one one which has not performed a grand last, but when they carry the cup on August 20, they’d obtain a milestone, being the present world champion. of the three feminine classes, and likewise, along with Germany, the one one to have been world champion on the female and male degree. Along with Australia, it’s the solely one of many 4 that has conceded a defeat, the 4-0 towards Japan, nevertheless it has scored 15 objectives and the one one which has not wanted a penalty shootout.
2. Sweden. Quantity three on the planet rating. The Swedish staff, Spain’s rival within the semifinals, is the one one of many 4 candidates who is aware of what it’s to play within the World Cup last, since they did so in 2003, with a defeat towards Germany. The truth is, it’s the most ‘veteran’ when it comes to penultimate rounds in a World Cup since subsequent Tuesday will likely be its fifth presence, being eradicated by the Netherlands (2019), Japan (2011) and Norway (1991). Nationwide staff and soccer with a terrific custom on this modality, she was continental champion in 1984 and received the silver medal on the 2016 Olympic Video games in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Tokyo in 2021. Sturdy defensively (nobody has achieved multiple objective) and physique, are highlighting their goalkeeper, Zecira Musovic, and the center-back Amanda Ilestedt has scored 4 objectives.
3. England. Quantity 4 within the FIFA world rating. The England staff is again within the World Cup semifinals for the third consecutive version and hopes to say the ‘Sarina Wiegmann issue’. The Dutch coach, the one girl to steer one of many 4 semifinalists, might proceed to develop her file and is searching for her fourth consecutive last as a coach after having performed the 2017 Euro Cup and the 2019 World Cup together with her nation, and that of EURO 2021 already together with his present staff, which he led to make historical past together with his first main title. England needs to emulate Germany, which was able to being European and world champions, though within the case of the Germans twice (2001-2003 and 2005-2007). It’s the better of the 4 defensively with solely two objectives conceded.
4. Australia. Quantity ten within the FIFA world rating. The ‘Matildas’ need to make soccer historical past for his or her nation, which has not had such a feat and now they’re nearer after lastly breaking their barrier to achieve their first World Cup semifinals. Champion of Asia in 2010, in Tokyo 2020 she was already a semifinalist and now she’s going to attempt to break the dangerous luck of the hosts since solely the US, in 1999, was capable of proclaim themselves world champion enjoying at dwelling. The staff coached by Tony Gustavsson has gone from much less to extra in a match the place they reached the final day of the group stage getting ready to the abyss. Nonetheless, they’ve been capable of preserve a clear sheet of their final three video games, for a complete of 4 out of 5 after the opener towards the Republic of Eire.