This article is a part of the Guardian’s Women’s World Cup 2023 Experts’ Network, a cooperation between among the greatest media organisations from the 32 nations who certified. theguardian.com is operating previews from two nations every day within the run-up to the event kicking off on 20 July.
Overview
Spain enter their third World Cup established as a world power. La Roja have change into a fixture within the prime 10 of the world rankings – they’re presently sixth – and journey to Australia and New Zealand optimistic of a deep run within the event, regardless of latest main upheaval of their setup.
Late final yr, 15 of Spain’s regulars walked away from the nationwide facet in protest in opposition to the top coach, Jorge Vilda, and his backroom crew. This pressured Vilda to show to gamers additional down the pecking order. Since then, a reshaped and keen group is pulling in the identical route. Latest outcomes have been spectacular. There have been wins in opposition to groups akin to the US and Norway, a 7-0 thrashing of Argentina and a draw with Sweden.
After a turbulent few months, Spain head down below having efficiently relaid the foundations of their facet. Additionally they welcome again three of their rebels: Mariona Caldentey, Ona Batlle and Aitana Bonmatí. The Barcelona trio had been key gamers for Spain earlier than the mutiny and their return represents a lift to the crew’s possibilities of success.
“If these three gamers are right here it’s as a result of they’re dedicated to the nationwide crew and by extension they will play within the World Cup,” mentioned Vilda, who has averted discussing specifics in regards to the 2022 walkout. “I’m satisfied that we are going to kind a united group.”
Drawn with Costa Rica, Japan and Zambia in a bunch that’s, on paper, pretty simple, Spain are clear favourites to complete prime of Group C. And in an additional shot within the arm for the crew’s ambitions, Irene Paredes, Jenni Hermoso and Alexia Putellas are additionally again within the fold. Though she solely just lately returned from an extended harm absence, Ballon d’Or holder Putellas has her sights set on being Spain’s driving power on the World Cup. With Paredes and Hermoso, she brings expertise to a younger squad; lots of Vilda’s fees are going to a serious worldwide event for the primary time.
The coach
Jorge Vilda needs to make historical past with Spain. The 42-year-old took over in 2015, when Ignacio Quereda was sacked after the World Cup in Canada, having didn’t get out of the group within the nation’s first look on the event. Vilda had been a stalwart of the teaching setups in Spain’s age-group groups, and in his tenure as senior supervisor he has promoted gamers akin to Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro and Athenea del Castillo. As he prepares for his second World Cup on the helm, Vilda is aware of his crew is among the greatest on the planet.
Star participant
Alexia Putellas, 29, is Spain’s undoubted star. This event is a golden alternative for the midfielder to shine with the entire world watching. Final summer time, Putellas was robbed of the prospect to dazzle on the massive stage when an anterior cruciate ligament tear dominated her out of the Euros. Having just lately returned from 10 months on the sidelines, the back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner is about to drag the strings for Spain as soon as extra.
There’s a slight doubt, nevertheless, over whether or not she’ll be match to begin from the get-go. A 7-0 win in opposition to Panama in a pleasant in June was her first begin this yr, with Putellas scoring after 22 minutes. “The sensations have been superb, not only for the aim that she scored however for her assists, for the way she helped the crew,” mentioned Vilda. “That’s what we count on from Alexia, nevertheless it’s clear the perfect of Alexia remains to be to return, and we’ll do every part on our facet to make that occur.
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Rising star
Vilda has positioned nice religion in Salma Paralluelo. A yr in the past, she was a shock choose for the Euros (albeit harm in the end dominated her out of the event); since then, she has been a fixture for Spain. At 19, the ahead has a really vivid future forward of her for nation and membership, having slotted in seamlessly at Barcelona since becoming a member of final summer time.
Paralluelo, who scored a hat-trick on her Spain debut in opposition to Argentina, is blessed with immense bodily prowess and doesn’t appear to be fazed by something. Requested whether or not she might think about profitable the World Cup this summer time, Paralluelo advised fifa.com: “After all. You all the time should visualise this stuff. [However] the very first thing we have now to do is deal with the group stage. We will’t look past that.”
Do you know?
That is the ninth Ladies’s World Cup and solely the third for which Spain have certified. It wasn’t till 2015 that La Roja appeared on the event – and so they endured an sad debut, falling on the first hurdle. Within the years since, Spain have made relentless progress, qualifying for each main event. They now have to take the subsequent step on the most important stage.
Ladies’s soccer has nicely and actually arrived in Spain. The nationwide crew is on the up, and Liga F, the nation’s elite home league, is now absolutely skilled. Spain took its time to embrace the ladies’s recreation, however as soon as it did, success adopted. Simply take a look at Barcelona, who’ve received the Champions League twice within the final three years. Spain is brimming with expertise; judging by final yr’s U-17 and U-20 World Cup victories, the longer term is vivid.
Real looking purpose on the World Cup?
Below stress to go additional than at earlier main tournaments, Spain head to the World Cup with massive ambitions. At a naked minimal, they must make it by way of their group and thru the final 16. The quarter-finals, the place the USA might await, would then be pivotal to how Spain’s marketing campaign is considered. Make it to the semi-finals, and the event can be seen as successful. Something past that will be a really momentous achievement.
The Spain crew information was written by Amalia Fra for AS in Spain.
