By Daniel Edu
The quarter-final stage of the 2023 Women’s World Cup has concluded, marking the end of the journey for four teams in the past 48 hours.
The first team to secure their place in the next round was Spain’s Women’s national team, who triumphed over the Netherlands with a 2-1 victory on Friday.
Mariona Caldentey’s penalty kick in the 81st minute and an extra-time goal by Paralluelo Ayingono propelled the Spanish team into the semi-finals.
Subsequently, Japan, a team that seemed poised to secure their third Women’s World Cup victory, suffered a 2-1 defeat against Sweden in the quarter-finals.
A goal from Ilestedt in the first half and another from Angeldal in the second half rendered Japan’s 81st-minute goal inconsequential, leading to their exit from the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Today, co-hosts Australia engaged in a grueling 120-minute battle to eliminate France from the tournament. After a goalless draw, the two teams resorted to a penalty shootout that saw 13 goals in total.
Australia emerged victorious with a 7-6 score, propelling the co-hosts to the semi-finals for the first time in their history.
The final quarter-finals clash in the 2023 Women’s World Cup pitted England against Colombia. Despite being without their leading goalscorer, Lauren James, who was suspended for two matches due to an incident involving a Super Falcons’ defender, Michelle Alozie, England secured a 2-1 victory over Colombia.
Goals from Hemp and Russo propelled England to qualify for the Women’s World Cup semi-finals for the third time in their history.
The semi-finals fixtures for the 2023 Women’s World Cup are as follows:
1. Spain vs. Sweden, scheduled for 9 a.m. on August 15.
2. Australia vs. England, scheduled for 11 a.m. on August 16.
