Sweden can still dream of finally winning their first Women’s World Cup. Because she will play the fifth semi-final in her history, a stage at which she failed three times (in 1991, 2011 and 2019, finishing third each time), also being a finalist in 2003.
In the meantime, the course of the Swedes, who will face Spain in the semi-finals on Tuesday (10 am, again in Auckland, New Zealand) has been remarkable so far. Because after their clear round in the first round (three wins), the Scandinavians eliminated the American scarecrow in the round of 16 (0-0, 5-4 on pens), four times crowned and double defending champion, then in quarters Japan (2-1), winner in 2011 and finalist in 2015, considered as the most beautiful team of the current edition.
Ilestedt’s fourth goal, big performance for a defender
More robust on impact and super well organized, the Swedes gradually took over during a first period that was initially closed, but which they unlocked with strength and talent. Thus, after a big opportunity missed by Blackstenius (25th), Amanda Ilestedt opportunistically concluded with the right foot a confused action on a stopped phase (32nd). This is the fourth goal in this World Cup for the new Arsenal player, where she has just signed from PSG, a remarkable performance for a central defender.
Then after three big chances just before and just after the break – a shot from Asslani deflected by Yamashita on his right post (42nd), a shot on target from Angeldahl (44th) and an attempt from Kaneryd again deflected by Yamashita (47th) , Sweden has logically taken off. And this, even if it took the intervention of the VAR to detect a very real hand from Nagano, which allowed Filippa Angeldahl, Manchester City midfielder, to transform a penalty with cold blood with the right foot ( 51st).
Japan missed a penalty by Uegi
The Japanese then finally reacted strongly. Roba failed from the left on Musovic (71st), then Uegi, coming into play, sent the penalty (very severe, for an unclear fault by Janogy) which she had herself obtained (76th) on the bar. But after Fujino’s free kick on the bar, again (86th, the head of goalkeeper Musovic then pushing the ball back on the post on the fallout!), the reduction of the score achieved by another entrant, Honoka Hayashi (87th, from right on a bad dismissal from Eriksson) was too late. And this, even if the Swedes trembled until the end.