Sweden, one of the strongest contenders for the title, and Spain will discuss access to the 2023 Women’s World Cup final, as they qualify for the semifinals this Friday, thanks to victories in the Netherlands and Japan, respectively.
In the most important match of the quarterfinals, played in Auckland, Sweden confirmed their status as favorites by beating a Japanese team that had also impressed 2-1 -with emphasis on the 4-0 win over Spain, in the group stage- and that never ceased to threaten the draw.
The Scandinavians, finalists defeated in 2003, won 2-0, thanks to goals by Amanda Ilestedt, in minute 32, and by Filippa Angeldahl, in minute 51, from a penalty, but the Japanese reduced, in minute 87, by Honoka Hayashi , after Riko Ueki missed a penalty in the 76th minute.
After having eliminated the United States in the round of 16, two-time champion (2015 and 2019) and tournament record holder, with four trophies won, in eight completed editions, Sweden has now surpassed the 2011 world champion, who preceded the ‘bi’ North American.
Japan, runner-up in 2015, searched in vain for a tie that would take the game to extra time, saying goodbye to the World Cup with Hinata Miyazawa as top scorer, with five goals, now more threatened by Ilestedt, which ended this Friday. fourth.
The Swedish team will face Spain in the semifinals, which this Friday qualified for the first time at such an advanced stage, by beating the Netherlands 2-1, after extra time, the current runner-up and who won the Portuguese group in the first phase. also ahead of the United States.
In Wellington, they seemed to have the historic result in their pocket when Mariona Caldentey opened the scoring, at 81′, from a penalty, but the Dutch equalized ‘out of schedule’, at 90+1, through Stephanie van der Gragt.
The Iberian team, one of the youngest in the competition, kept alive the dream of winning its first major international title thanks to the goal scored in the 111th minute by Salma Paralluelo, turned into a Spanish heroine at the age of 19.
The other quarterfinal matches, scheduled for Saturday, will pit co-hosts Australia against France and reigning European champions England against Colombia.
Portugal participated in the competition for the first time and finished third in group E, after losing to the Netherlands 1-0, beating Vietnam 2-0 and drawing 0-0 with the United States.
The ninth edition of the Women’s World Cup will run until August 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
Source: TSF
