Japan has defeated Norway to reach the quarterfinals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia-New Zealand 2023.

Japan, ranked 11th in the FIFA Women’s Rankings, defeated Norway, ranked 12th, 3-1 in the round of 16 on Friday at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand.

It was the first time in eight years that Japan reached the quarterfinals after winning the Women’s World Cup in 2011 and finishing runner-up in 2015, before falling in the round of 16 at the 2019 tournament in France.먹튀검증

Japan, who topped Group C with shutouts of Zambia (5-0), Costa Rica (2-0), and Spain (4-0) in the group stage, conceded their first goal of the tournament on the day, but continued their momentum with another multi-goal performance.

Japan will play the winner of the Sweden-USA Round of 16 match (on June 6) for a spot in the semifinals in Auckland, New Zealand on June 11.

Meanwhile, Norway, winners of the 1995 tournament, were unable to make it to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive time following the 2019 tournament (where they were eliminated in the quarterfinals).

An own goal by Norway in the 15th minute gave Japan the lead.

Hinata Miyazawa’s cross from the left flank was flicked on by Norway’s Ingrid Surstad Engen, who stretched out her leg inside the penalty area and the ball hit her foot and headed into the back of the net.

It ended up being an own goal, as Norwegian goalkeeper Aurora Mikkalsen was in a difficult position to stop it.

Norway equalized late in the first 20 minutes when Kuro Leiten headed in a cross from Bilde Boer Lisa from the right flank to make it 1-1 at the break.

The second half began with the Norwegian defense floundering under the onslaught of Japanese attacks, and Japan reaped the rewards early on.

Five minutes into the second half, Japan’s Risa Shimizu intercepted a pass in the center of the penalty area, and her right-footed shot rattled the net.

A flurry of Norwegian shots failed to find the back of the net or beat the goalkeeper, and Miyazawa’s 36th-minute goal on a Japanese counterattack sealed the victory.

It was Miyazawa’s fifth goal of the tournament, making him the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.

Earlier in the day at Auckland’s Eden Park, Spain (No. 6 in the FIFA rankings) beat Switzerland (No. 20) 5-1 in the round of 16 to achieve their best ever result, surpassing their last 16 finish at the 2019 tournament.

Switzerland, who topped Group A with one win, two draws and a clean sheet to reach the round of 16 for the second time in their history (2015), finished the tournament with a loss.

Spain will play the winner of the Netherlands-South Africa Round of 16 match (on the 6th) in the quarterfinals on the 11th.