Sweden advanced to their second consecutive World Cup semi-final with an impressive win over Japan. A first-half goal from Amanda Ilestedt and Filippa Angeldal’s penalty stunned the Nadeshiko in front of more than 43,000 fans in Auckland. Honoka Hayashi pulled a goal back for Japan but they ran out of time to complete their comeback.
Peter Gerhardsson was delighted after his side outplayed Japan in the first half to secure their progress. “It’s wonderful, obviously,” the manager told Swedish radio. “The game had everything. In terms of performance, we had our best of the tournament. It got very exciting.”
