logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2023
30m 34s

Spain and Sweden surge into semis

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Join Maz Farookhi in Wellington as Spain reach their first ever World Cup semi-final following a 2-1 victory over 2019 runners up Netherlands. A goal from Barcelona’s Salma Paralluelo in the 111th minute was enough for Jorge Vilda’s side to progress to the last four.

Maz spoke to Laia Cervello from The Athletic about the achievement and what it means for women’s football in the country. We'll also hear from Dutch journalist Jeroen van Barneveld about what went wrong for the Netherlands. Spain will meet Sweden for a place in the final after they beat Japan 2-1 in Auckland.

Meanwhile, Mani Djazmi is in Brisbane ahead of co-hosts Australia's quarter-final against France. Mani speaks to France manager Herve Renard about the challenge of facing a partisan Aussie crowd, while Australia manager Tony Gustavsson and defender Ellie Carpenter give us some insight into their preparations ahead of such a big game.

Katie Smith is in Sydney as European Champions England get ready to face Colombia.

Image: Salma Paralluelo of Spain celebrates after scoring her sides first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Quarter Final match between Spain and Netherlands at Wellington Regional Stadium. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Up next
Yesterday
Club World Cup Final: John Bennett looks ahead to PSG v Chelsea
Chelsea are taking on Paris Saint-Germain in the first ever final of the new look, expanded FIFA Club World Cup. It’s a tournament that’s made headlines on and off the pitch since it kicked off in June. Sportsworld’s John Bennett is joined by two experts from London and Paris to ... Show More
10m 41s
Yesterday
WAFCON: Nigeria book first spot in the quarter-finals
Nigeria are the first team through to the quarter-finals of WAFCON after defeating Botswana 1-0 at Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Thursday.World Football's Sophia Hartley, the BBC’s Ian Williams and the former Nigerian goalkeeper Rachael Ayegba reflect on the win and discu ... Show More
15 m
Jul 9
WAFCON: South Africa's challenges on and off the pitch
Sophia Hartley is joined by footballer writer Firdose Moonda and South African sport journalist Buisiswe Mokwena to discuss the start of Banyana Banyana's defence of their Women's Africa Cup of Nations title. There are questions over how the title holders will fare in the start o ... Show More
15 m
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2023
Is Spain's football crisis really over?
Katie Smith is joined by Spanish football expert Guillem Balague and reporter Antia Andre from RNE radio to react to the news that most of the Spain women's team have agreed to end their boycott.The deal was reached at 05:00 local time on Wednesday after more than seven hours of ... Show More
22m 54s
Jul 2024
Spain and France set up Semi-Final clash
Spain defeated Germany in extra time to book themselves a UEFA EURO semi-final spot. They’ll face France who beat Portugal on penalties. We react to both matches hearing from Spanish hero Mikel Merino, as well as German forward Kai Havertz. Plus, we look ahead to Saturday’s quart ... Show More
57m 24s
Aug 2023
Heartbreak for England in World Cup final loss to Spain
Anton Toloui and Charlotte Marsh return for a final Essential Football podcast to reflect on England's defeat to Spain in the Women's World Cup final. They discuss where the game was won and lost, whether Wiegman got her tactics right and the wider impact of Spain's win. Plus, th ... Show More
36m 1s
Jul 2024
Netherlands comeback, England spot on & Semi-Finals set
We react as England and the Netherlands seal their place in the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2024. We hear from the Netherlands’ player of the match Stefan de Vrij after Ronald Koeman's side recovered from a 1-0 deficit to see off a spirited Türkiye team 2-1. Plus, Gareth Southgate a ... Show More
50m 5s
Nov 2022
Magical Messi & Mesmerising Mbappe!
Hugh Woozencroft is joined by the former England defender Stuart Pearce and talkSPORT commentator Nigel Adderley to look back at Saturday's World Cup action. They discuss a wonderful bit of individual brilliance from Lionel Messi, which helped Argentina beat Mexico, and they disc ... Show More
21m 32s