AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Sweden first knocked off the United States after which bounced Japan to snag a spot within the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup.

The Swedes, the World Cup runners-up in 2003 and three-time third-place finishers, eradicated beforehand unbeaten Japan 2-1 in Friday’s quarterfinal. With Japan out of the lineup, this 12 months’s World Cup will crown a first-time winner.

The sold-out crowd at Eden Park, the place Sweden will play within the semifinals on Tuesday in opposition to Spain, danced to songs by Swedish rock band Abba because it was performed all through the stadium after the win.

Amanda Ilestedt scored a first-half purpose and Filippa Angeldal transformed a second-half penalty to present Sweden the delicate upset and ship the Swedes to the semifinals for the fifth time.

“I think we showed that we can play really good football,” mentioned Ilestedt. “The teamwork we are showing, it’s unbelievable. Winning just feels amazing.”

Japan had been so prolific with 14 targets in rolling to a 4-0 event document, however Japan struggled for many of the sport to maintain up with the taller Swedish group. When Sweden went up 2-0 late within the second, Japan appeared out of the event.

But the Japanese lastly made a late comeback and critically pressured Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who's recent off a World Cup-record 11 saves within the win over the United States.

Riko Ueki’s penalty try for Japan within the 76th minute hit the crossbar and bounced away from the purpose, however Musovic was lastly overwhelmed within the 86th minute when substitute Honoka Hayashi lower Sweden’s result in 2-1.

That was all of the Japanese mustered as Sweden superior to play Spain, which beat the Netherlands 2-1 in additional time earlier Friday. Japan had overwhelmed Spain 4-0 in group play.

Saki Kumagai, enjoying in her fourth World Cup and Japan’s captain, was in tears with the remainder of her teammates following the loss.

“We fought so hard because we wanted it,” she mentioned. “We want to go to the next round, of course. We will come back stronger.”

Japan’s exit means there shall be a first-time winner at this World Cup. Japan gained in 2011, and former winners Germany, Norway and the United States had been all eradicated earlier within the event.

Ilestedt broke via for Sweden within the thirty second minute off a free kick that ricocheted among the many gamers in entrance of the purpose earlier than touchdown at her toes for the purpose. It was the defender’s fourth of the World Cup.

Angeldal added the penalty kick within the 51st minute after Fuka Nagano’s handball within the field was confirmed by video evaluate.

Japan’s run within the World Cup ended with 14 targets, greater than any group left within the event. Hinata Miyazawa completed with 5 of these targets to steer the Golden Boot race, matching the group document set by Homare Sawa in Japan’s 2011 title run.

Sweden was using excessive after eliminating the two-time defending champion Americans on penalties following a scoreless draw on Sunday. The victory got here by simply millimeters, when goal-line expertise confirmed that Lina Hurtig’s try crossed the road earlier than it might be saved by American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

Japan, No. 11 within the FIFA rankings, earned a spot within the quarterfinals with a 3-1 victory over Norway.

The sport was a conflict of types from the beginning: third-ranked Sweden was extra bodily whereas Japan was extra technical. Sweden dominated possession for a lot of the match and had the higher probabilities.

Stina Blackstenius beat a defender Saki Kumagai and confronted Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita one-on-one within the twenty fifth minute however her shot went vast.

After Ilestedt’s purpose, Kosovare Asllani practically doubled the lead within the forty second minute, however her blast from the highest of the field was pushed away by a diving Yamashita.

Angeldal’s penalty appeared to rattle the Japanese, who struggled in opposition to the taller and extra athletic Swedes. Japan didn’t get a shot off till the 63rd minute. Japan had scored at the very least twice in every of its earlier video games, however had by no means come again from down two targets in World Cup play.

At the Tokyo Olympics, Sweden eradicated Japan on dwelling soil within the quarterfinals. Sweden superior to the gold medal sport however misplaced to Canada.

The Swedes have by no means gained a title at both the World Cup or the Olympics.

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