Sweden will face Spain in the Semi-Finals of the World Cup after beating Japan 2-1 this morning in Eden Park.

Goals from Amanda Ilestedt and Filippa Angeldahl were enough to hold on against a Japanese side who were dominated for much of this game, but were electric in the closing minutes.

The opening exchanges were all about gaining control in the midfield battle, as both sides tried to implement their contrasting game-plans early on. From the outset, Sweden looked to dominate possession and pin Japan back in their own half, offense is after all the best form of defence.

As a result, Sweden were in control for the majority of the opening 45 minutes, enjoying better chances and more momentum.

Sweden should have taken the lead in the 25^th minute through Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius. The striker was found by a brilliant long pass from Nathalie Bjorn, the ball proving difficult for Japanese defender Saki Kumagai to deal with.

Blackstenius stole the ball from underneath the feet of Kumagai and found herself through on goal, with just Ayaka Yamashita in her way. The striker had more time and space than she thought, as she took her shot at the first time of asking, shanking her effort well wide of the post. It was a tight angle, but she will have expected better from herself in that position.

This chance seemed to spark Japan into life, the 2011 winners creating a flurry of chances to swing the momentum. However, their efforts to contain Sweden were undone in the 30^th minute, when Kumagai fouled Blackstenius outside the penalty area, gifting Sweden a free kick in a dangerous position on the right-hand side. Kosovare Asllani produced a dangerous cross into the Japanese box, where Japan scrambled to try and clear the ball.

With the ball bobbling, Nathalie Bjorn attempted a shot, but her effort was blocked, the ball now at the feet of Magdalena Eriksson. The defender similarly tried to shoot, but her effort was deflected and now bounced dangerously into the six-yard box. Up for the free kick, Amanda Ilestedt found the ball at her feet and poked the ball past the oncoming defenders and Yamashita in goal. The centre-back picked up her fourth goal of this year’s tournament, and gave Sweden the lead in this crucial Quarter Final tie.

Asllani came within inches of doubling Sweden’s lead just ten minutes later, her effort forcing a wonderful save from Yamashita, who pushed the ball onto the post. After being found by a wonderful bounce pass from Fridolina Rolfo, Asllani’s half-volley travelled goal-wards, but Yamashita managed to get a fingertip save to force the ball onto the post.

After the half-time break, Sweden were strong out of the blocks, and looked to double their lead and put the game to bed as early as possible. They wouldn’t have to wait long, as they were awarded a penalty in the 49^th minute following a handball from Fuka Nagano in the penalty area after a dangerous corner from Jona Andersson.

Nagano can feel aggrieved by the decision, as she had no sight of the ball until it hit against her hand. The hand-ball was brought to the attention of the referee via VAR, and after a quick review a penalty was awarded to Sweden. Filippa Angeldahl stepped up to take the penalty and slotted the ball past Yamashita in goal, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. Japan now had a mountain to climb.

Japan were handed a lifeline in the 74^th minute when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Riko Ueki from substitute Madelen Janogy as the Japanese striker was running towards goal. A tangling of legs saw the striker go down and a penalty awarded. Ueki stepped up to take the penalty, never really looking fully confident. Her shot rattled against the bar, and the rebound was dealt with well by the Swedish defence, who cleared the danger.

It was do or die for Japan in the closing ten minutes of the game, who left it late to claw a goal back through Honoka Hayashi. A free kick from Aoba Fujino rattled against the crossbar and onto the back of Zecira Musovic, hitting the post on the richochet. It was a miracle the effort didn’t go in. From the resulting chaos, Hayashi found the ball at her feet inside the penalty area, and powered a low shot to Musovic’s right.

It was a tense final few minutes, but ultimately it’s Sweden progress to the semi-finals, where they will face Spain, who beat the Netherlands 2-1 earlier on this morning. The Swedes will be looking to go a step further than 2019, where they crashed out at the Semi-Final stage, but they know they face a difficult task. Today’s performance will give them great confidence, beating one of the favourites for the tournament in emphatic fashion.