Spain thumped Switzerland 5-1 to earn a berth in their first-ever World Cup Quarter Final. Japan joined Spain in the last eight following a 3-1 win over Norway.

Spain vs Switzerland

Spain was in total control of the game and took an early through Aitana Bonmati in the fifth minute and they went on to add four goals to the tally.

Alba Redondo doubled the lead in the 17th minute to cancel out Laia Codina’s own goal in the 11th minute.

Aitana Bonmati got her brace in the 36th minute and Laia Codina then redeemed herself in the 45th minute to increase the lead going into the break.

25 minutes into the second half Jenni Hermoso added the fifth goal, making a comeback impossible for Switzerland who were simply abysmal.

Spain came into the tie from a 4-0 defeat against Japan in the last game of the group stage while Switzerland came into the tie unbeaten.

It was the first meeting between both sides in the FIFA Women’s World Cup; Spain won 2-0 the last time the two teams met was during the Algarve Cup in 2019. And got the better of Switzerland again on the World Cup Stage.

Japan vs Norway

Japan is the second Country to book a place in the Quarter-final, following a 3-1 victory over Norway.

Norwegian, Ingrid Engen gifted Japan the lead 15 minutes into the game before her teammate Guro Reiten cancelled the lead just five minutes after, in what she thought would be the beginning of a comeback. There was nothing to separate the sides going into the break.

Five minutes into the restart of the game Risa Shimizu doubled the lead for Japan and Norway’s attempts to get back into the game proved futile as Hinata Miyazawa wrapped it up with the third goal.

The victory means Japan are through to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2015 when they finished as runners-up.

Japan, winners of this competition in 2011 and runners-up four years later, will face Sweden or reigning champions, the United States in the quarter-finals on Friday, 11 August 2023.

The round of 16 action will continue by 3am (WAT) when South Africa and Netherlands clash. Defending Champions USA will battle it out with Sweden for a place in the last eight by 10am (WAT)

South Africa would look to be the first African side to book a place in the Quarter-Final.