Spain failed to qualify for the first six editions of the Women's World Cup, but once La Roja made the tournament in 2015 they've made a steady climb toward joining the global elite.
Spain scored its first point with a draw in its World Cup debut. Four years later, Spain advanced to the knockout round before it was eliminated by the U.S. team that went on to clinch a second consecutive championship.
Now in their third World Cup, the Spaniards have reached a new level and face Sweden in the first World Cup semifinal on Tuesday at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
