Sweden sent another former champion side packing when they hung on to end Japan’s strong run at the Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 victory on Friday and reach the semi-finals for a fifth time.
Amanda Ilestedt smashed home the opener in the 32nd minute in Auckland and Filippa Angeldal converted a 51st-minute penalty to set Sweden on course.
But the Scandinavians then needed to overcome a nervy finale as Riko Ueki fired a penalty against the crossbar, Aoba Fujino also hit the bar with a free-kick, and Hayashi Honoka’s 87th-minute goal eventually came too late to force a turnaround.
Japan were the last former champions in the tournament, meaning a new champion will be crowned on August 20.
For Sweden, it was a second straight prestigious victory after they ousted record four-time champions the United States on penalties in the round of 16.
In their semi-final on Tuesday in Auckland, Sweden will face Spain, who beat 2016 runners-up Netherlands 2-1 in extra time earlier in the day.
Sweden previously reached the semis on four occasions, winning only in 2003 before losing the final to Germany. They finished third in 1991, 2011 and 2019.
“This is what we want, we want to play against the best teams. We are not satisfied with the semi-finals and want to go all the way,” Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani told German broadcasters ARD.
“We are very satisfied. Japan are a very skilful team. We defended well, could create chances and managed two goals. We then got a little excited but luckily got the win.”
Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda said: “We knew their strong points, but we would have wanted to have more time to attack. Still, in the second half, we showed a fighting spirit and got a goal back.
“I am proud of the players for not giving up and fighting [to] the end. It’s difficult to sort things out right now, but I think the players showed what we are able to do. We couldn’t turn those things into a victory today, but I want them to feel proud.”
Japan had previously impressed at the tournament with four victories and a tournament-leading 14 goals while only conceding once, but were impressively contained by Sweden for large parts of the game.
Ilestedt smashed the opener into the roof of the net in the 32nd minute with her fourth goal of the tournament in a goalmouth scramble, and Asllani fired against the right post soon afterwards.
Sweden seemed in full control when Angeldal converted a 51st-minute penalty for 2-0 into the bottom left corner after a Fuka Nagano handball.
But Japan finally fought back strongly in the later stages.
Ueki’s penalty kick in the 76th, harshly awarded after she was deemed to have been fouled by substitute Madelen Janogy, hit the underside of the crossbar, and she then headed over on the rebound.
Fujino’s free-kick also hit the bar 10 minutes later, the ball bounced off the head of goalkeeper Zecira Musovic onto the post and back into play.
The ball was finally in the Swedish net from Hayashi Honoka seconds later but despite sustained pressure Japan did not manage to avoid defeat in 10 minutes of stoppage time.
