One-time winners, Japan are through to the last eight of the FIFA Women’s World Cup following a comprehensive 3-1 win over 1995 Champions, Norway.
The 2011 champions took the lead inside the opening 15 minutes as Igrid Engen stick out a leg to divert Miyazawa’s cross into her own net, scoring a record equaling eighth own goal in a single edition of the tournament.
The lead did not last too long as Guro Reiten scores from a Vilde Risa’s cross with Norway’s first chance of the game five minutes after going behind.
The goal was the first conceded by Japan in the ongoing tournament, as well as Norway’s 100th in their FIFA Women’s World Cup history – only the United States and Germany has reached the milestone.
Japan retake the lead five minutes after the restart, Risa Shimizu made her name sake in the opposition shirt, Risa, pay for a reckless pass in her own area.
The West Ham United right wing back fired home via a deflection to reestablish the lead before Hitana Miyazawa scored to ensure a safe passage into the next round nine minutes from time, with her fifth goal of the tournament.
Japan awaits the winner of the meeting between United States and Sweden on Sunday, in the last four.
Hassan Afolabi
