Women’s World Cup: Sweden into semi-finals after beating contenders Japan

Sweden are through to the Women’s World Cup semi-final after a superb win over tournament hopefuls Japan.

Amanda Ilestedt opened the scoring before Manchester City’s Filippa Angeldahl added a second from the penalty spot.

Japan nearly came back late on though. Riko Ueki’s 76th-minute penalty rebounded off the crossbar before Aoba Fujino’s free-kick also hit the woodwork and somehow stayed out.

Honoka Hayashi did pull a goal back in the 87th minute but Japan were unable to find a leveller after that.

Sweden will play against Spain in the semi-final, after they beat the Netherlands earlier.

Ilestedt netted Sweden’s opener after the Japan defence failed to clear from a free-kick. The ball eventually fell to the new Arsenal defender who smashed it into the roof of the net from six yards.

Stina Blackstenius had earlier fired wide before captain Kosovare Asllani’s shot was tipped onto the post by Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.

Angeldahl doubled the lead in the second half after the VAR deemed that Fuka Nagano had handballed in the penalty area.

Japan struggled to create chances and only came into the ascendancy when it was too late.

Ueki’s spot-kick came after she was brought down by Madelen Janogy but she smashed the ball against the crossbar.

Hayashi eventually netted when she pounced on a deflected cross to score from eight yards.

The result means all former champions have now been knocked out after USA’s last-16 loss to Sweden, Norway’s loss to Japan and Germany’s shock group-stage exit.

Cover Photo: Flag of Sweden” by Florian Prischl is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .