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FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Spain defeats Netherlands, Sweden defeats Japan in quarter-finals

French coach Herve Renard has stoked the fire ahead of his team’s blockbuster quarter-final against the Matildas, declaring he would rather have one of his star strikers than any Australian.

Staff writers
9 min read
8:35PMAugust 11, 2023.
Updated 8:57PMAugust 11, 2023
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Salma Paralluelo celebrates scoring her team's second goal
Salma Paralluelo celebrates scoring her team's second goal

Sam Kerr might be good, but French star Eugenie Le Sommer is better.

That’s the belief of Les Bleues coach Herve Renard, who had a clear warning for the Matildas ahead of Saturday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final showdown at Suncorp Stadium.

“There’s no-one like her in the (penalty) box,” Renard said of 34-year-old attacker Sommer.

“I have seen a few male players that were incredible in the box, but she has incredible quality.

“She’s like a surgeon in the box … I wouldn’t change my strikers for the ones from the other team.”

Le Sommer, a teammate of Matildas right-back Ellie Carpenter at French club Lyon, has already scored three goals in the tournament, including a brace in France’s 4-0 round-of-16 thrashing of Morocco.

Matildas captain Kerr has played less than 20 minutes during the tournament because of a calf injury,

Regardless of how much game-time Kerr is given on Saturday night, Renard predicted the Matildas style of play would not change.

“Of course the characteristics of the strikers will be different, but they like to wait for their opponent, they like the transition to be fast and get behind the defence, and they have some very good players to use this system,” he said.

“We are aware about everything, we know they are a very good team with fantastic support, but I have full confidence in my squad.

“I am with one of the best football teams in the world, so I just want them to have more confidence in themselves … respect all their opponents, but don’t fear anybody because they have the quality to have a fantastic tournament.

“I’m sure now they realise how well they can do.”

Eugenie Le Sommer celebrates scoring against Morocco. Picture: FRANCK FIFE / AFP.
Eugenie Le Sommer celebrates scoring against Morocco. Picture: FRANCK FIFE / AFP.

Ranked fifth in the world, France is desperate to at least go one step further than at the 2019 World Cup, when as hosts, Les Bleues were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual champions USA.

“Our goal is to reach the last four in this tournament, so … we only have one option (on Saturday),” Renard said.

He said his team – beaten 1-0 by the Matildas in a pre-tournament friendly in Melbourne – would embrace the task of playing against the World Cup co-hosts.

“We are not only playing against one team, we are playing against one nation,” he said.

“It’s also why we are very motivated for this game, because we love it.

“This is a high level of football, and we prefer to play this kind of game rather than a friendly game somewhere with 100 people. That is not football.”

Le Sommer said: “We know what we want and it will be important to show this (against the Matildas).

“We want to leave our mark on the history of women’s football. We have ambitions and we want to bring something back to our own country.”

— Marco Monteverde

8PM: SWEDEN PRAISED FOR CLASSY GESTURE AFTER QUARTER-FINAL WIN

Sometimes it’s not just about winning, but how you win.

Sweden showed its class after defeating Japan in Friday’s World Cup quarter-final, with several players pictured consoling their opponents after fulltime.

One fan tweeted the spirit shown by the Swedish players was “what it’s all about”, while another said the scenes made them “a little emotional”.

Another said it was a true sign of “the beautiful game”.

We loved it.

7.30PM: PENALTY DISASTER ENDS JAPAN’S CUP

A missed penalty and freekick which was centimetres from a goal have ended Japan’s World Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Considered one of the tournament’s biggest threats after cruising through the group stage, Japan took until about the 70th minute to show the verve which carried it to the last 16.

Sweden led 2-0 through Amanda Ilestedt and Filippa Angeldal by that point.

Substitute Riko Ueki crashed her penalty against the crossbar which would have given Japan a lifeline, before Honoka Hayashi got what proved to be a consolation goal.

Japan was inches from scoring from a freekick which would have taken the match to extra-time as Swedish goalkeeper Zećira Mušović was struck on the back and the ball then rolled along the goal line.

Sweden held on during more than 10 minutes of injury-time to second Japan packing.

Riko Ueki’s penalty thunders into the crossbar. Picture: Buda Mendes/Getty Images.
Riko Ueki’s penalty thunders into the crossbar. Picture: Buda Mendes/Getty Images.

6:15PM SWEDEN STRIKE FIRST

The underdogs have come out firing at Eden Park as Japan find themselves on the backfoot.

Sweden took control from the first whistle and struck in the 32nd minute after a game of pinball in the box.

Eventually the ball fell to Amanda Ilestedt’s feet and she lashed her shot into the back of the net.

The lead was almost doubled just before half time but a crucial save from goal keeper Ayaka Yamashita, pushing the ball onto the post, kept the Japanese in the contest.

Japan failed to register a shot for the entire opening half, while Sweden had 10 with three on target.

5.30PM: ‘BIG MOUTH’ SLEDGE COMES BACK TO HAUNT DUTCH

Former US international Sydney Leroux has taken aim at Netherlands forward Lineth Beerensteyn after her “big mouth” sledge of the Americans backfired spectacularly.

Beerensteyn said in the build up to her side’s quarter-final against Spain that she was happy the Americans had been knocked out.

“The first moment when I heard that they were out, I was just thinking, ‘Yes! Bye!’

“Because from the start of this tournament they had already a really big mouth,” she said.

But the sledge came back to haunt her on Friday when Beerensteyn missed several chances in extra-time as the Netherlands lost 2-1.

Leroux then tweeted: “One thing we’ve learned is wait to talk shit until after you’re on the podium with a gold medal because now… you’re bye too.”

This US-Netherlands rivalry is something else.

4PM: SPANISH MUTINY: COACH SNUBS IN WORLD CUP SAGA

All is not well in the Spanish camp despite a 2-1 win over the Netherlands to send them through to the semi finals.

Pre-tournament a number of players stood down amid concerns over conditions at international camps and coach Jorge Vilda’s managerial approach.

Post the thrilling win, Spain players hugged and celebrated with each other as Vilda wandered around the pitch by himself.

The vision was telling.

2:30PM: DUTCH ‘ROBBED’ IN WORLD CUP FIASCO

Drama fuelled football in New Zealand between Spain and the Netherlands with goals denied, penalties and injury time equalisers.

Deep into extra time, with penalties looming, Spain got the break through thanks to 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo who scored the winner in a match that will forever be marred in controversy.

While both sides were hard done by VAR, a penalty awarded to the Netherlands was subsequently overturned in a baffling decision.

Lineth Beerensteyn was brought down in the box by Spain’s Irene Paredes. Vision showed heavy contact but referee Stephanie Frappart overturned her initial decision to award a spot kick.

Spain will meet the winner of Japan v Sweden in the semi-finals.

12:45PM FIFA HYPOCRISY EXPOSED

FIFA have been accused of playing favourites with England after only increasing Lauren James’ ban by one match despite her deliberate studs in back stamp last week.

The governing body could have ended James’ World Cup campaign with three match bans possible for red cards.

But the 20-year-ld will be available to play should England make the final of the tournament.

The decision not to hand down the biggest sanction has drawn accusation of double standards and hypocrisy with experts and fans comparing the incident to Nigeria Deborah Abiodun’s challenge on Canada’s Ashley Lawrence in the group stages.

Abiodun was initially shown a yellow card for the studs to ankle challenge before VAR upgraded it to red. FIFA then whacked her with a three match ban.

Nigeria’s campaign was ended by Australia in the knock out stage meaning Abiodun did not play again.

The James incident was the exact same scenario with the video review system upgrading the sanction but FIFA opted for just a two match ban leading to calls of inconsistency and preferential treatment.

Abiodun’s tackle was deemed mistimed and unintentional while James was intentional and unprofessional.

So are FIFA bending over backwards for the FA?

12:50 ALL SQUARE!

Spain had a penalty, they looked like they were one foot in the semi-finals but NO! What a script you could not make this up the Netherlands score one minutes into additional time.

Van der Gragt with the goal and the stadium has erupted!

Irony of it being her to score given she conceded the penalty not 15 minutes ago.

11:35AM GOAL DISALLOWED

Spain took the lead but it was for just one minute before VAR overturned the decision.

Shortly before the half-time break, having dominated the entire 45 minutes, Esther Gonzalez thought she has got her side the break through but VAR got in the way with the 30-year-old deemed offside.

Spain were incredible (11 shots to Holland’s 0) and the Netherlands lucky to go into the break with the score as it was.

STAMP BAN: WORLD CUP STAR COPS FIFA WRATH

England forward Lauren James received a two-match ban from FIFA for the stamp on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie that earned her a red card in the Women’s World Cup last 16.

The 21-year-old Chelsea attacker was sent off in the 87th minute of Monday’s match in Brisbane, which European champions England went on to win on penalties.

She will miss England’s quarter-final against Colombia in Sydney on Saturday as well as a potential semi-final, but would be available to return should the Lionesses reach the final on August 20.

James apologised to Alozie over the incident, tweeting: “All my love and respect to you.” “I am sorry for what happened,” added James.

Separately, the England team released a statement of their own saying: “Lauren is really sorry for her actions which led to the red card and is full of remorse.

“It is wholly out of character for her.”

Lauren James stamps on Nigeria player
Lauren James stamps on Nigeria player

9:45AM JAPAN AND SWEDEN BRACE FOR ULTIMATE CLASH OF STYLES

Japan are the revelation of the Women’s World Cup but they must brace themselves for the ultimate clash of styles when they face Sweden in the quarter-finals at Eden Park today.

The only side left in the tournament who have won the World Cup before, 2011 champions Japan have surged into the last eight with 14 goals scored in four games and one conceded.

One of the few teams to have lined up with three centre-backs, they have been devastating on the counter-attack, surgical with their passing in behind the opposition defence and clinical in the final third.

In Hinata Miyazawa they have the leader in the race for the golden boot with five goals.

Sweden have built their success on a solid defence that has also let in just one goal, in their opening game against South Africa.

Physically they are a handful for opponents and they are particularly dangerous at set-pieces.

Zecira Musovic meanwhile produced arguably the best performance of any goalkeeper at the competition as Sweden eliminated holders the United States on penalties in the last 16.

“This won’t be like the physical game we had against the USA. It will be a lot more technical and fast-paced,” Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson told reporters on the eve of the match in Auckland.

“When we get possession we will need to move the ball quickly and make the most of our physical advantage.”

8AM ‘BIG MOUTH’ AMERICANS GIVEN BRUTAL WORLD CUP SEND-OFF

Netherlands forward Lineth Beerensteyn said she celebrated the United States crashing out of the Women’s World Cup, saying the beaten holders had “a really big mouth”.

The United States defeated the Dutch 2-0 in the final in 2019 but their bid for an unprecedented third World Cup title in a row ended on penalties to Sweden in the last 16.

“The first moment when I heard that they were out, I was just thinking, ‘Yes! Bye!’ “Because from the start of this tournament they had already a really big mouth,” Beerensteyn said on the eve of the Netherlands’ quarter-final against Spain in Wellington.

“They were talking already about the final and stuff.

“I was just thinking: you first have to show it on the pitch before you are talking.”

USA’s Megan Rapinoe (L) and Kristie Mewis (R) after their side’s penalty shootout loss to Sweden. Picture: WILLIAM WEST / AFP).
USA’s Megan Rapinoe (L) and Kristie Mewis (R) after their side’s penalty shootout loss to Sweden. Picture: WILLIAM WEST / AFP).

The US opened their World Cup defence with a 3-0 win over Vietnam but failed to win another game, including drawing 1-1 with the Netherlands in the group phase.

The Americans’ exit in the last 16 was their worst performance ever at the World Cup.

“I am not being rude in that way. I mean, I have still a lot of respect for them, but now they are out of the tournament,” added Beerensteyn.

“For them, it’s a thing that they have to take with them in the future -- don’t start to talk about something that’s far away.

“I hope that they will learn from that.”

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/fifa-womens-world-cup-2023-spain-v-netherlands-japan-v-sweden-lineth-beerensteyn-on-united-states/news-story/5a598ea6b9ac3c49af71216aa867150a