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Fourth game, fourth win for Japan

Photo: Lars Baron / Getty Images

In the second round of 3 of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Japan qualified for the quarter-finals with a 1-1 (1-5) win over Norway. Previously, Spain had already prevailed 1:4 (1:<>) against Switzerland.

Only four teams have been able to secure the women's World Cup title so far, two of which faced each other in this round of sixteen. Japan, the 2011 champions, had shone with three wins and 11-0 goals in the group stage, while Norway, the 1995 winners, were bitterly disappointed for two games before a 6-0 win over the Philippines secured progression.

The trend of the preliminary round continued in the early stages of the round of sixteen. Japan acted offensively, the Norwegian defense had to endure numerous attacks and corner kicks. Norway helped with Japan's opening goal: a pass from the left wing by Hinata Miyazawa unluckily deflected Ingrid Engen into her own goal (15th minute).

Norway's equaliser came almost out of nowhere: Vilde Böe Risa crossed from the right wing and Guro Reiten got a header in his own penalty area despite seven Japanese players and placed the ball precisely in the left corner (20th). The 1-1 draw was also Japan's first goal conceded at the tournament.

Japan continued to patiently look for solutions, but Norway were also noticeably better in the game after the surprising equaliser.

Second Norwegian blunder, second goal conceded

In the second half, Japan increased the pressure again and was once again able to rely on a blunder in the Norwegian defence: Böe Risa played the ball into the feet of the advancing defender Risa Shimizu in her own penalty area, who overcame goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen with a deflected shot (50th).

Hegerberg arrives late

The Norwegians still had more than 40 minutes to correct this result, but almost nothing came forward for the team of national coach Hege Riise, Japan remained the more active and dangerous team. Only the inclusion of former World Player of the Year Ada Hegerberg after 74 minutes was to revive Norway once again, instead of the equalizer, the knockout followed: Miyazawa completed a perfect counterattack with her fifth goal of the tournament (81st).

For Norway, it was the next tournament disappointment after the group exit at Euro 2022, Japan will meet the winner of the encounter between Sweden and the USA in the next round.

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