Sweden are through to the semi-final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, following a 2-1 win over Japan on Friday.
They have now set up a semifinal against Spain on Tuesday.
Defender Amanda Ilestedt gave Sweden the lead with her fourth goal of the tournament in the 32nd minute with Filippa Angeldal adding the second from the penalty spot just after the break.
Japan never gave up the fight but Riko Ueki missed a 76th-minute penalty and her fellow substitute Honoka Hayashi’s goal 11 minutes later proved too little, too late as Sweden held firm under immense stoppage-time pressure to progress.
“It’s wonderful, obviously,” Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson told Swedish radio.
“The game had everything. In terms of performance, we had our best of the tournament. It got very exciting, Japan are one of the best teams in the tournament.”
Sweden, charged with confidence after dethroning the U.S. on Sunday, tore into their opponents from the start, swamping the midfield and clearly rattling Japan.
