The Sweden women’s national football team (ranked third in the world) has beaten Japan to reach the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup.메이저놀이터
Sweden won their quarter-final match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia-New Zealand 2023 2-1 against Japan (ranked 11th) at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand on 11 November. The Swedes, who entered the tournament undefeated after three matches in Group G, defeated world No. 1 USA on penalties in the Round of 16 and then upset in-form Japan to reach the last four.
Sweden took the lead through Amanda Ilestedt (30) in the 32nd minute of the first half and then six minutes into the second half, Philippa Angeldahl (26) deflected a penalty kick awarded for a Japanese handball foul into the net. Sweden held on to the one-goal lead until the very end, after conceding a goal in the 42nd minute to Honoka Hayashi (25). Sweden pushed hard against Japan on the day. They used their size advantage to win aerial battles time and time again, and their defence shut down Japan’s attacking links.
Japan were unfortunate to miss a penalty corner. In the 31st minute, Riko Ueki (24) stepped up to take the kick after earning a penalty kick of her own, but her shot took a lot of effort and the ball hit the post. Japan mounted a late charge but had to settle for a one-goal advantage. Japan had a strong start to the tournament, winning all three of their group games, including a round of 16 win over Norway, but ultimately couldn’t get past Sweden.
Japan’s Riko Ueki misses a penalty kick. The ball did not cross the goal line./Reuters News1
Spain (sixth) beat the Netherlands (ninth) to reach the quarter-finals. The tense 0-0 balance was broken in the 36th minute. Spain’s Mariona Caldentei (27) scored the opening goal from the penalty spot. However, her opponent Stephanie van der Hraag (31) conceded a late injury-time goal to send the match into extra time.
Six minutes into extra time, with the match looking increasingly likely to go to penalties, Spain’s Salma Parayuello (20) scored the winner with a left-footed shot after a quick move into the opposition half. Despite the dramatic finish, Spain were well ahead in terms of possession (50%-31% – 19% contested) and shots (26-10). After losing 0-4 to Japan in the group stage, Spain bounced back with a huge 5-1 victory over 20th-ranked Switzerland in the round of 16 to reach their first ever World Cup quarter-final. Spain’s previous best result was a round of 16 finish at the 2019 tournament. Spain and Sweden will meet in the last four for a place in the final.
Spain’s Salma Farahuelo (18) celebrates scoring the winning goal late in extra time during the Spain-Netherlands match./AFP
The other quarter-final, Australia-France, will take place at 4pm on 12 December, followed by England-Colombia at 7.30pm.