1. Spain 2-2 England. England to win on penalties.
The grudge match; will the Lionesses devour the Roos?
Australia are the ONLY team to have beaten England. In the space of around two years. It is the only team that have outfoxed Wiegman with her 36 games in charge - 31 of which have been won. She is, undisputedly, the best female manager in the national game. I would wager one of the best managers in the world, with Klopp, Guardiola, Arteta and the like. But...against a team who have unlocked England before where nobody has - whilst incongruent as it was a friendly - and who are the host nations with a 75K strong stadia following, can England take revenge on the country that has not just beaten them in the football but the cricket AND the netball so recently?
Predicta-balls: DAY 28 (SF)
England: Russo to score (anytime), Hemp to assist (anytime).
Australia: Kerr to score (anytime), Fowler to assist (anytime).
Spain reach first ever World Cup final at the expense of Sweden ; 2-1
Spain beat Sweden in a thrilling finish to reach their first Women's World Cup final. Third-place ranked Sweden will now compete for play-off 'bronze' for the second World Cup in a row.
Captain Olga Carmona scored an 89th-minute winner to spark wild scenes of jubilation among their supporters at Eden Park, Auckland.
Sweden - who have now lost back-to-back World Cup semi-finals - had equalised through Rebecka Blomqvist just 93 seconds earlier and it looked like the match would be going to extra time.
A game of few chances had sparked into life when substitute Salma Paralluelo, 19, gave Spain the lead with just 10 minutes remaining.
They will face England or Australia in the final in Sydney on Sunday.
Steely England summon another semi; England 2-1 Colombia
England set up a Women's World Cup semi-final with co-hosts Australia as they came from behind against a dangerous Colombia side.
The European champions, favourites to go all the way in Australia, have not played their best football in the tournament but this was a much more rounded display in front of a hostile crowd in Sydney.
Largely composed in defence and hard-working in attack, the Lionesses were rewarded with two slices of luck which they capitalised on, after goalkeeper Mary Earps had been beaten by a quick-thinking lob in the first half.
Lauren Hemp poked in the equaliser, just seven minutes after Leicy Santos had caught out Earps, when Colombia goalkeeper Catalina Perez spilled a routine gather in the six-yard area under pressure from Alessia Russo.
Arsenal striker Russo, who had only scored once in four World Cup matches prior to Saturday's quarter-final, worked tirelessly out of possession, earning her opportunity when she pounced on a kind deflection to drill in England's second.
Earps was called into action later, tipping Lorena Durango Bedoya's effort over the bar, while England were put under further pressure by Colombia's talented attacking line-up, which included Real Madrid's teenage sensation Linda Caicedo.
The Lionesses, who had to deal with a crowd of 75,784 who were largely backing Colombia, face co-hosts Australia next on 16 August at 11:00 BST, live on BBC.
It will be the Lionesses' third straight World Cup semi-final after defeats by the USA in 2019 and Japan in 2015.
Battle of Brisbane; Australia edge French in foot-slinging duel, 0-0 AET
Co-hosts Australia reached the Women's World Cup semi-finals for the first time as they beat France in an incredible penalty shoot-out at Brisbane Stadium.
Following a goalless 120 minutes, the Matildas triumphed 7-6 in a shootout which defied belief with its dramatic twists.
Cortnee Vine scored the winning spot-kick for Australia, after Vicki Becho had struck the post for France.
Australia keeper Mackenzie Arnold made a total of four saves in the shoot-out - including twice from Kenza Dali, having moved off the line for the first stop, leading to a retake.
Arnold herself had the opportunity to score the winning penalty as the fifth taker for Australia, after saving from Eve Perisset, but struck the post as nearly 50,000 Australians inside the stadium went through every emotion imaginable.
But it is the hosts who march on, reaching their first ever Women's World Cup semi-final.
Australia will play England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on 16 August at 11.00 BST.
Sweden scrape JABBAnese job; 2-1
Sweden are into the last 4 teams of the tournament as they completed their Jabbanese job, but it was far from plain sailing for the stout Swedes.
It was too little too late for the Japanese as they turned on the style in the final third of the match, Sweden prevailing - albeit nervily - despite a missed penalty that cannoned off of the bar, a similarly resultant free kick and a goal in the 87th minute.
Japan's failure to find a rhythm, at least until tensions rose for Sweden in the latter business stages of the contest, ultimately cost the exit of probably the most electric team of the World Cup.
Whilst Japan staged a riveting comeback, it was Amanda Ilestedt's fourth goal of the tournament partnered with Angeldahl's precise penalty that were the penultimate nails in the Japanese coffin.
Sweden...they go again, and will meet Spain to win the ultimate fixture in football history: the final.
Netherlands and Neverlands; Spain 1-1 Netherlands (2-1 AET)
The Netherlands, largely outplayed for most of the game, were made to come from behind and nearly steal the win from a dominant Spanish team that should have settled the result much earlier in the game.
Spain played some cut-throat candy football, nearly breaching the Netherlands at least four times in the first half but were denied by goalie in yellow and twice goalie in post-white.
Both teams - with their determination and spirit - were advocates for the quality and pride ubiquitous within the tournament.
Spain sizzled in attack and continued to push the Dutch back, relentlessly stepping up the pressure which finally paid dividends in the 81st minute when Oliver neatly netted from the spot.
The Netherlands sparked into life after conceding, Stefanie van de Gragt leveling the contest with a fine left-footed strike in the first of 12 additional minutes added for injury time.
Gragt's goal was enough to send the contest into extra-time, but that was as far as the 2019 finalists would go, with substitute Salma Paralluelo's astute finish sealing the eventual win for Spain on 111 minutes.
Spain will progress to the semi-finals for the first time in their history, meeting either Sweden or Japan.
Predicta-balls: DAY 23 (QF)
1. Spain 1-2 Netherlands
2. Japan 1-1 Sweden. Japan to win in extra time.
France inflict Moroccan mirth; 4-0
Eugenie Le Sommer scored twice as France cruised into the Women's World Cup quarter-finals, thrashing Morocco to end the African side's dream run.
Goals from Kadidiatou Diani, Kenza Dali and Le Sommer put France 3-0 ahead at half-time in Adelaide, with Le Sommer adding her second after 70 minutes.
France will now face Australia in the last eight in Brisbane on Saturday.
Morocco had been hoping to become the first African side to win a knockout match at the Women's World Cup.
Colombia too strong for stern Jamaican rearguard; 1-0
Colombia set up a Women's World Cup quarter-final against England with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Jamaica.
Catalina Usme, who captained Colombia in Melbourne, curled home the decisive strike in the 51st minute.
It was the first goal Jamaica had conceded at the tournament after 321 minutes of play, but they could not find a response.
This is the first time Colombia have reached the last eight of the Women's World Cup.
They will face European champions England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Saturday, kick-off at 11.30 BST.
Hosts hop into QF's; Australia 2-0 Denmark
Co-hosts Australia reached the Women's World Cup quarter-finals with a clinical win over Denmark in the last 16 at a packed Stadium Australia.
Caitlin Foord put the Matildas ahead in the 29th minute, finishing from a tight angle following a great pass from Mary Fowler.
Hayley Raso added a second in the 70th minute with a driven finish after good work from Emily van Egmond.
Australia will face either France or Morocco in the last eight on Saturday.
Lucky Lionesses limp on; England 0-0 Nigeria (4-2 on penalties)
England scraped through to the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Nigeria despite Lauren James' red card.
Georgia Stanway fired wide with the opening penalty but Nigeria missed their next two efforts and the European champions secured their spot in the last eight when Chloe Kelly smashed in the winning kick.
In an outburst of frustration, James stamped on Michelle Alozie's back in the 87th minute after losing possession and was rightly shown a red card following a video assistant referee (VAR) review.
England were given an almighty scare but face Colombia or Jamaica next at 11:30 BST on Saturday.
ONE KICK IS ALL IT TAKES: Good luck England!!!
Good luck @Lionesses, predicting a 3-0 win with a Russo hat-trick :)
— Mark Hale (@MarkHale1408) August 7, 2023
Statues at liberty; USA LOSE TO SWEDEN (0-0 AET: 4-5 on penalties)
Reigning champions the USA are out of the Women's World Cup after being stunned by Sweden on penalties on a night of incredible drama in Melbourne.
BREAKING: Woke US Women’s Soccer HumiliationBREAKING: Woke US Women’s Soccer Humiliation
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 6, 2023
After winning back-to-back World Cups the heavily favored Team USA has been ELIMINATED by Sweden in the 16th round.
Team USA’s downfall was delivered by anti-America, anti-woman activist Megan Rapinoe’s EMBARRASSING free kick here 🥴 pic.twitter.com/uO3aDQcYbl
After winning back-to-back World Cups the heavily favored Team USA has been ELIMINATED by Sweden in the 16th round.
Team USA’s downfall was delivered by anti-America, anti-woman activist Megan Rapinoe’s EMBARRASSING free kick here 🥴 pic.twitter.com/uO3aDQcYbl— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 6, 2023
There are a few reasons why the USA have had the worst tournament in their history; arrogance being one of them. Poor Lindsay Horan, captain fantastic, who was the ONLY states player to do herself justice amongst disservice.
Why was Trinity Rodman not utilized more?
Why was Megan Rapinoe even in the squad?
Why did the players crumble under the pressure of the media?
Why did Sophia Smith lose her confidence?
The fact Megan Rapinoe was nonchalantly laughing after missing a penalty that would have set the states up for the win just shows how egotistical the squad is. An American legend retires...so too the American's grip on world class football.
USA dominated the 120 minutes but were denied by an inspired goalkeeping performance from Zecira Musovic as the match finished goalless.
The drama only ratcheted up further in the shootout. Three USA players missed, including their footballing icon Megan Rapinoe on her last appearance on the world stage, before Sweden won in remarkable circumstances.
USA keeper Alyssa Naeher appeared to have saved Lina Hurtig's effort at the second attempt, having pushed the initial effort up before clawing it out.
But after checking with the video assistant referee (VAR), referee Stephanie Frappart awarded the goal and sparked wild Sweden celebrations.
USA manager Vlatko Andonovski was not convinced the ball had crossed the line, despite technology confirming the goal.
"It's a tough moment," he said. "It's a moment where it's hard to go through, where you hope it didn't cross the line. I see pictures and I still can't see it now, but proves how cruel this game can be."
Sweden go through to face Japan in the quarter-finals.
Dutiful Dutch dispel South Africa; 2-0
Netherlands manager Andries Jonker says his team have come to the Women's World Cup "with the conviction that we can beat everybody" after securing a quarter-final spot against Spain.
The Netherlands were forced to endure several anxious moments before defeating South Africa and booking a place in the last eight.
Jill Roord, Manchester City's new club record signing, nodded the Netherlands ahead but South Africa went close to equalising several times against the 2019 runners-up.
Banyana Banyana captain Thembi Kgatlana was once again a real handful and forced four fine saves from Daphne van Domselaar, Aston Villa's new goalkeeper, in front of a crowd of 40,233 at Sydney Football Stadium.
Lineth Beerensteyn doubled the lead after a mistake by South Africa keeper Kaylin Swart in the second half.
The Netherlands will return to New Zealand to face Spain in Wellington on Friday at 02:00 BST for a place in the semi-finals.
Predicta-balls: DAY 18 (/16)
1. Netherlands 2-0 South Africa
2. Sweden 2-2 USA. USA to win on penalties.
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