Katelyn Best | Editor, AngelCity.com
This week spelled heartbreak for Angel City fans, the nation of Japan, and anyone who likes fun, as Jun Endo’s Nadeshiko—the best team in the tournament to this point—were knocked out of the World Cup in their quarterfinal match against Sweden.
With the semifinals wrapped up as of last night, just the final and third-place games remain, with the former to be contested by Spain and England, and Sweden and Australia to battle it out for the final podium spot.
Read on for a recap of the quarter- and semifinal rounds.
Here are our recaps of weeks one, two, and three; our World Cup intro is here. You can reserve tickets for our World Cup Final watch party at the Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood here. Tickets are free and required for entry!
August 11: Japan 1, Sweden 2
A Sweden team that got lucky against the US in the Round of 16 had a genuinely great performance against Japan. In a sense the Swedes beat the Nadeshiko at their own game: Japan has succeeded to this point by defending well and making the most out of any opportunity they got in transition. As Angel City midfielder Savannah McCaskill pointed out last week, some of Japan’s most impressive goals have taken only one or two passes between winning the ball and hitting the back of the net, and Sweden didn’t turn the ball over enough or open up enough to allow that.
There was also likely a vibes element at play here. Peaking too early at a tournament can introduce either pressure or overconfidence, both of which can make the difference on the day. Case in point: when Japan, already down 2–0, were awarded a 76th-minute penalty for a foul in the box against forward Riko Ueki, it was Ueki who stepped up to take the kick. She looked on the edge of nausea as she positioned the ball and kicked it straight into the crossbar.
Sweden opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when defender Amanda Ilestedt put away a loose ball that Japan had failed to clear from the box. Filippa Angeldahl notched a second on a penalty early in the second half. Japan midfielder Honoka Hayashi got a consolation goal in the 87th minute, with a second assist by Endo.
The Other Quarterfinals
Spain 2, Netherlands 1
As preordained a result as there was in this round, Spain advanced on an 81st-minute penalty by forward Mariona Caldentey and a 111th-minute strike by substitute Salma Paralluelo. Veteran defender Stefanie van der Gragt forced extra time with a 91st minute equalizer, but a repeat of their 2019 run was not to be for the Dutch.
France 0, Australia 0 (AUS advances on penalties)
The hosts narrowly beat out France in a dramatic shootout that saw Matildas keeper Mackenzie Arnold bravely step up for the potential game-winning fifth spot kick, only to hit the post. She acquitted herself well, regardless, saving three of France’s attempts, including one that was retaken after VAR ruled she came off her line early. France’s quarterfinal curse remains in place.
England 2, Colombia 1
A gorgeous goal by midfielder Leicy Santos, one of the best of the tournament, lifted Colombia ahead in the 44th minute, but the jubilation didn’t last long, as forward Lauren Hemp equalized in stoppage time. A 63rd-minute effort by forward Alessia Russo spelled the end for Las Cafeteras’ historic run—but Colombia’s emergence as a true world power remains one of the highlights of this World Cup.
The Semis: Spain, England Advance
Sweden couldn’t repeat their performance against Japan in a flat showing against Spain. After a scoreless first 80 minutes, Paralluelo—again off the bench—put away a chance that forward Eva Navarro missed in the box. La Roja looked destined for a second round of extra time when forward Rebecka Blomqvist scored a beautiful volley in the 87th minute, but an edge-of-the-box strike by defender Olga Carmona punched their ticket to the final.
In Semifinal 2, the European champions defeated the (remaining) host nation 3–1 to advance. As their lackluster quarterfinal draw with France hinted, Australia’s run to this point had been a bit of a Cinderella story, and this Matildas team will no doubt be remembered, deservedly, for years to come.
England midfielder Ella Toone opened the scoring in the 36th minute. Australia star Sam Kerr, one of the best to ever play the game, got her moment in front of 76,000 fans in the 63rd minute, with a sensational strike from outside the 18. In the end, though, Australia’s weakness has long been their defense, and goals by Hemp and Russo put the nail in the coffin.