MATCH PREVIEW | One massive match; two massive goals
Spain want to continue making history. After reaching the stars in Sydney on 20 August 2023, the Spanish national team goes into an absolutely vital match tonight that sees them on the verge of previously inconceivable success: The game can help Spain reach the final of the Nations League and qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time.
The Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville hosts this mouthwatering clash from 21:00.
Montse Tomé and Irene Paredes, protagonists of yesterday's pre-match press conference, spoke of the positive mentality with which the team is going into this final four and the desire and enthusiasm the team have to make history again: "We have an important objective and that is to be at the Olympic Games", said the coach.
Watch the pre-match press conference with Montse Tomé and Irene Paredes again.
In the same vein, the captain insisted that the team should continue looking to set new milestones and urged the fans to come to La Cartuja to cheer them on: "Playing at home is an opportunity. I'd like to take this opportunity to appeal to the fans, we need them.
Watch the match between Spain and the Netherlands live La 1 and RTVE Play.
Spain wants to continue making history, and what better way to do it than at home and in front of their own fans. Only one match separates Spain from another final, but that's not all. If they win, the Spanish National Team would seal their ticket to the Olympic Games in Paris for the first time in history. A huge and tremendously exciting two-pronged objective.
Check out the National Team’s UEFA Women's Nations League Final Four information pack
The national team coached by Montse Tomé face the Netherlands, the same opponents we faced in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. That day, 11 August 2023, is etched in the memory of all Spaniards, as it meant qualifying for the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time in our history and it proved a turning point for the Spanish national team.
Mariona Caldentey's goal (81') was cancelled out by a goal from Van der Gragt in injury time. However in extra time, Salma Paralluelo brought mad scenes of celebration to the Spanish bench with a historic goal that earned them a place in the semi-finals and, in the end, was one key step on their way to becoming world champions.
Beyond that last match, Spain and the Netherlands have played each other 11 times, with a positive balance of six wins, three draws and only two defeats favouring Spain.
Spain have reached the final four of the UEFA Women's Nations League after a near-perfect qualifying campaign. Montse Tomé's side, who shared a group with Italy, Sweden and Switzerland, finished top with five wins from six matches and five points ahead of second-placed Italy.
In addition to the Netherlands, France and Germany are the other two teams in the final four. The French and Germans go head to head in the other semi-final in Lyon (France) at 21:00.