A Women’s World Cup of change, of unexpected early departures and tantalizing arrivals, has completed its upending of certainty and tradition.
No former champion remains in the tournament with two rounds to play.
Gone prematurely are the United States, with its four world championships, and Germany, with two. Ousted is Norway, the 1995 victor. And now Japan, the 2011 winner, has exited in the quarterfinals with a 2-1 defeat to Sweden on Friday in Auckland, New Zealand.
Of course, it would be highly inaccurate to consider Sweden an arriviste. It has participated in all nine Women’s World Cups, finishing second in 2003 and third three times. But it has never won a major tournament and longs to be a first-time champion.
Sweden will face Spain in the semifinals after smothering Japan’s versatile attack through the first half with a high press. It built what seemed to be a secure lead early in the second half by scoring twice indirectly on its specialty — set pieces.
Japan, which had scored 14 goals in its first four matches and seemed to be the best team in the tournament, did not manage a shot in the first half. It created furious chances in the second half but will long regret a missed penalty kick in the 75th minute.
Sweden’s victory, Spain’s first trip to the semifinals…
