Japan 1-2 Sweden: Amanda Ilestedt on target as Swedes set up last-four clash with Spain at Women’s World Cup

Sweden edged past Japan 2-1 to make it into the semi-finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

It was the best performance of the tournament from Peter Gerhardsson’s side, who had scraped through against defending champions the United States on penalties in the previous round.

In the first-half, Sweden dominated possession and managed to be much more threatening in front of goal, with 11 shots, four on target. Japan, on the other hand, didn’t test Zecira Musovic once in the first 45 minutes.

Sweden were always going to use set-pieces as a way to get at Japan, and their opener in the 32nd minute came after Kosovare Asllani’s free kick was initially punched away by Ayaka Yamashita. The Swedes however managed to keep the ball alive, with Magdalena Eriksson eventually finding Amanda Ilestedt, who pounced for a powerful finish.

Futoshi Ikeda made a change at half-time, bringing on Jun Endo at half-time, but Sweden started the second-half just as strongly.

From a corner, a penalty was given after the ball hit Fuka Nagano’s hand from an Ilestedt header. Referee Esther Staubli missed it as it happened, but she was called to take a look at the VAR monitor and quickly deemed that Nagano made herself bigger.

Sweden took advantage of the call, and Filippa Angeldahl hit a low, powerful shot to double their lead.

Japan, the 2011 World Cup winners, grew into the game as the half progressed, and they were awarded a penalty after Riko Ueki fell in the box, though the replay showed that it may have been simulation.

Ueki herself took the penalty, but was unable to convert it as she hit the woodwork.

Late on, Eriksson shoved Aoba Fujino over on the edge of the penalty area, giving Japan a late set-piece opportunity.

Fujino’s shot hit the crossbar and then the back of Musovic, but Japan continued play. Sweden failed to clear their lines, and Honoka Hayashi thumped in a low shot from 10 yards out.

Japan continued to threaten Sweden with ten minutes of play added on, but Sweden saw out the victory.

Sweden will play Spain in the last four after Jorge Vilda’s side beat the Netherlands 2-1 earlier in the day.

It was Sweden’s most impressive performance of the tournament, and they seem to be peaking at just the right time.

Japan were coming into this tie as the favourites having played the best football of the tournament so far, but Sweden managed to limit all their threats. They were bold with the ball, but not reckless. The rare times Japan had chances in the first half, Sweden used their physical advantages, and cleverly got bodies back to ensure that they suffocated Japan, and the quick passing and creative flair that the 2011 champions were known for wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Sweden, in fact, should’ve scored more, with Stina Blackstenius and Johanna Kaneryd seeing big chances missed.

It was a nervy period for the Swedes late in the second-half after Japan scored their first, but they managed to hold their nerve as they faced wave after wave of attack. Despite Ikeda’s side looking like their usual selves in the last 15 minutes, the eventual winners dug deep, just as they did against the US, to see out the win.

For Japan, they will regret not starting Endo, who was a complete game-changer when she came on at half-time. It was too little, too late and all their work in the earlier stages of the tournament came to an end.

Lots of doubs surrounding Asllani’s fitness and form arose ahead of this World Cup, but the captain put in a commanding performance, despite not being 100% fit, to lead her side to the semi-finals. She was operating in the pockets between Japan’s midfield and defensive line, laying off the ball quickly, and making runs into the box. Her one shot forced a super save out of Yamashita, and she put in a defensive shift as well.

Elin Rubensson was also key defensively for Sweden, reading Japan’s passes really well, and blocking shots and long balls, while goalscorer Ilestedt made seven clearances and five interceptions, giving the Japanese little joy.

Japan: Yamashita 7, Shimizu 5, Takahashi 6, Kumagai 6, Minami 6, Sugita 6, Hasegawa 7, Nagano 6, Miyazawa 6, Tanaka 6, Fujino 7.

Subs: Endo 7, Ueki 5, Seike 6, Hayshi 7, Hamano 7.

Sweden: Musovic 7, Bjorn 7, Ilestedt 8, Eriksson 6, Andersson 6, Angeldahl 7, Asllani 8, Rubensson 8, Kaneryd 6, Blackstenius 6, Rolfo 6.

Subs: Janogy 6, Hurtig 6, Bennison 6, Jakobsson 6.

25′ – HUGE CHANCE FOR SWEDEN! HOW HAS SHE MISSED?! Blackstenius gets the better of Kumagai after a lovely ball from Bjorn, but she somehow misses the target completely. Maybe Kumagai put her off, but that was a massive chance after getting the better of Japan’s back-line.

32′ – GOAL! JAPAN 0-1 SWEDEN: SWEDEN STRIKE FIRST AND WHO ELSE BUT ILESTEDT? From a set-piece, Sweden keep the ball alive again and again. It ends up at the feet of Ilestedt who smashes it home. Her fourth goal of the tournament, and Japan go behind for the first time in this tournament.

43′ – ASLlANI OFF THE POST: BUT WHAT A SAVE FROM YAMASHITA! Asllani has all the space to take a shot, but Yamashita stretches to parry it off the post. The ball was looked as if it going in from there.

49′ – DECISION: PENALTY! The ball hits Nagano’s arm after Ilestedt gets her head to it. Unfortunate, because it’s definitely not intentional. But Sweden have a penalty.

51′ – GOAL! JAPAN 0-2 SWEDEN: SWEDEN’S PENALTY DOUBLES THEIR LEAD! Angeldahl goes to the left, and it’s a powerful low shot into the corner.

74′ – PENALTY FOR JAPAN! Ueki goes down, and the referee points to the spot. Not much in it, but the check is complete.

76′ – JAPAN MISS THE PENALTY! Ueki takes the penalty, and it’s off the bar!

86′ – GOAL! JAPAN 1-2 SWEDEN! Outside the box, Eriksson makes a shove which is a clear foul. Hayashi takes the free-kick, and it hits the crossbar. Play continues and the ball ends up at the feet of Hayashi who hammers it home.

• Sweden will make their fifth appearance in a World Cup semi-final.
• Japan conceded more goals in this match than they have in their first four matches of the tournament.