Guangzhou, August 19 (Xinhua) -- On the evening of the 20th, Sydney, Australia Stadium, the 2023 Women's World Cup is about to come to an end. The two sides of the battle for "Mountain of Kings", England and Spain, two teams that have never reached the final of the Women's World Cup before, are destined to make history.
In this World Cup, the Spanish women's football team showed the power of passing and controlling football, 6 games they have more than 50% of the ball in each game, and the average possession rate reaches 60%, considering that the current FIFA ball control rate statistics use the "three-point method", that is, in addition to the possession rate of the two sides, there is also a confrontational state of possession rate (generally 10%-20%), so 60% can be said to be a "crushing" number, England team this data is 55.5%. In total, Spain successfully completed 3,597 passes, averaging nearly 600 per game; By comparison, England successfully completed a total of 3,116 passes in six games, averaging about 520 per game.
On August 15, Spain celebrated after the semifinals. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhu Wei
Offensively, Spain had 51 shots on target and 43 shots on target from inside the box, scoring 17 goals. England had 35 shots on target and 20 shots on target from inside the box and scored 13 goals (not including penalty shootouts).
Looking at the statistics alone, Spain seems to have more than twice as much firepower as England. However, England are more efficient, averaging around 2.7 shots on target to convert into a goal, while Spain need three shots on target to score a goal.
There are plenty of attacking points on both sides, with England scoring seven goals in the previous six games, with James, Lasso and Henmp all scoring three goals each; Spain were not far behind, with nine goals scored, and Hermoso, Redondo and Bonmati all had three goals in hand.
England's Henp (left) celebrates a goal in the quarterfinals on August 12. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Bai Xuefei
Therefore, if this final turns into a big open and close attacking battle, it will be more beneficial for Spain, while England will want to wait for the opportunity to attack and deliver a fatal blow on the basis of a solid defense.
Looking at England's performance in this Women's World Cup, they drove low and high, tested and did not die. Before the decisive match, the morale of the English team was high, especially the semi-final defeat of the host Australia, allowing the "Three Lions" to rush to the "Heavenly King Mountain" in a top-notch attitude, which seems to have the shadow of Argentina at last year's Qatar Men's World Cup.
Their squad is incomparably complete, and "big killer" Lauren James returned to the team after a red card suspension, but in the two games he missed, Thun performed well in the No.10 position, which left England manager Wigman with a happy annoyance. Defensively, England are no strangers to Spain's attacking threat, with Bronzer and Walsh, who play for Barcelona Women, hoping to strangle Spain's gorgeous strikers based on Barca.
Wigman used the 433 formation in the first two group games, and changed the 352 formation from the third game against China, with good results. Against Spain, the "Three Lions" may continue this formation.
And you can never guess Spain's starters - Spain coach Bilda has not arranged the same start once in six games, except for third goalkeeper Salon, the remaining 22 have a record of appearances. Will Spain change its lineup in this final?
On 15 August, Spain coach Jorge Bilda commanded from the sidelines. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhu Wei
In the last two games, Palallo has been a key figure, starting the first four games and coming off the bench in the last two, but she scored the winner against the Netherlands and the first goal against Sweden, and the 19-year-old Barcelona striker seems to be a bigger threat from the bench.
Another variable is Putellas, who started 57 minutes before being replaced by Parallolo after playing 57 minutes against Sweden, and Putellas has yet to play the full 90 minutes in a game after returning to the pitch with a cruciate ligament injury.
Spain had never won a World Cup knockout match before this Women's World Cup, and this time they are progressing to the final, facing England who eliminated themselves at last year's Women's European Championship in hopes of making history with a perfect revenge.