Spain looked impressive until they met Japan in the group stage. Switzerland were one of three teams yet to concede a goal (only scoring twice themselves). Japan has looked more and more like the team that made finals in 2011 and 2015. Norway was looking to continue its momentum after 6-0 thrashing of the Philippines saw them through. The knockout stage has begun!
Switzerland 1-5 Spain
Eden Park continues to break records in terms of attendance. A crowd of 43,217 at Eden Park is the new record for soccer in New Zealand and it’s the third time the record has been broken during the Women’s World Cup. As for the match, it would be the Swiss that would be gored five times over. Whatever worked against their Group A counterparts was unlikely to work against a flashy Spanish side–and it didn’t.
A spectacular own goal not withstanding, it was all Spain all the time and they became the first team to reach the quarterfinals. As for Switzerland, they ended up allowing as many goals in this match than they did their previous seven at the Women’s World Cup. You had the feeling that once Spain was able to score, they would keep scoring as the Swiss did not have wherewithal to keep up.
The Swiss now await the winner of the Netherlands-South Africa match in Wellington and may have an added advantage as that aforementioned match is taking place in Sydney while the Quarterfinal on Friday (NZ time) will be in Wellington (Thursday at 8pm, FOX/Telemundo).
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – AUGUST 05: Vilde Boe Risa of Norway and Yui Hasegawa of Japan compete for the ball during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Japan and Norway at Wellington Regional Stadium on August 05, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Japan 3-1 Norway
Japan would concede their first goal of the tournament as Guro Reiten equalized for Norway after another own goal in this tournament–the record ninth. However, That would be the lone foot wrong for Japan as they came back with two goals in the second half as cruised to a 3-1 win to await the winner of the Sweden-USA match on Friday in Auckland. Again, it may be advantage Japan going in as they have not had to cross the ditch as of yet and wouldn’t have to until the Final should they get there–ditto Spain.
Next Up:
The Netherlands have a matinee match (Sydney time) against South Africa in Sydney (9pm CT, FOX/Telemundo) while the USA goes to Melbourne to face Sweden early Sunday morning in the States (4am CT FOX/Telemundo). These are the only four teams who have to cross the ditch (aka Tasman Sea) before the Final.
