Japan vs. Sweden highlights: Sweden to semis after 2-1 win
The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup continued Friday (on FOX and the FOX Sports app) with Sweden eliminating Japan in the quarterfinal round at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Japan and Sweden checked in at Nos. 1 and No. 7, respectively, in our latest World Cup power rankings.
Friday's match featured five Golden Boot favorites — Japan's Hinata Miyazawa, Riko Ueki and Mina Tanaka, along with Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt and Fridolina Rolfö — while Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita and Swedish goalie Zećira Mušović are on the short list for this year's Golden Glove award.
Follow our live coverage below!
Japan vs. Sweden Highlights
87': It … did not go in — but Japan still scored
Mere seconds after Aoba Fujino's free kick somehow didn't cross the goal line, Japan cut the deficit in half when Honoka Hayashi punched in a score on the left side of the net.
Japan's Honoka Hayashi scores goal vs. Sweden in 87'
80': Yellow card for Riko Ueki
76': Unable to capitalize
After Japan was rewarded a penalty kick, Riko Ueki's shot went off the crossbar and her header off the ricochet went above the net.
Japan's Riko Ueki misses a penalty kick against Sweden in the 76'
71': Unable to break through
Aoba Fujino got off a close-up shot for Japan, but Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic sent it to the left.
Zecira Musovic blocks a shot on goal to keep Sweden's lead vs. Japan at 2-0
68': Too high
Japan was around the net, but Yui Hasegawa's shot attempt went north of the target.
51': Sweden capitalizes!
After a VAR review determined that Japan midfielder Fuka Nagano made contact with the ball, Sweden was rewarded a penalty kick, which Filippa Angeldal knocked through.
Sweden's Filippa Angeldahl scores goal vs. Japan in 51'
47': Great save!
Johanna Kaneryd got off a nice shot from the right side, but Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita sent it elsewhere.
HALFTIME: Sweden leads 1-0
Sweden scored in the latter part of the first half and got off seven shots (three on goal). Japan didn't register a single shot in the half, but its defense was the catalyst for keeping the deficit to one.
42': Just missed!
Kosovare Asllani got off a shot on the right side of the net for Sweden, but it was slightly tipped by Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita and then went off the post.
Sweden's Stina Blackstenius' shot hits the post after Ayaka Yamashita deflects it off the post
32': Sweden scores!
After the ball bounced all around the net, Sweden defender Amanda Ilestedt smacked in a goal on the right side of the net.
Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt scores goal vs. Japan in 32'
25': Brutal miss
Sweden nearly struck first before Stina Blackstenius' shot attempt went a tad to the right and behind the net.
5' and 11': No access
Japan stunted Sweden's offense in the early going.
1': We're off!
PREGAME
Setting the stage
The "World Cup NOW" crew previewed the match live on social media ahead of kickoff.
Check out the full Women's World Cup schedule and how to watch each match live here. Find the latest scores here.
