The 2023 Women’s World Cup is in full swing, and these daily files give you the latest reporting from around the tournament as well as betting lines, what-to-watch-for information and best reads. Check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from Australia and New Zealand.
The lead: Sweden stun Japan to seal progress
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The last of the former Women’s World Cup winners have been eliminated from the competition, meaning a new champion will be crowned soon.
Sweden shell-shocked a Japan team that had looked like the tournament’s most dominant side up to this point, winning 2-1 with goals from Amanda Ilestedt and Filippa Angeldal. Riko Ueki‘s controversial 76th-minute penalty hit the bar before a late Honoka Hayashi strike made the score more respectable — and, moments before, Aoba Fujino hit the bar with a free kick that rolled across the goal line — but Sweden were the better side, generating more and better chances.
Unsurprisingly, Sweden’s opening goal came from a set piece. In the 32nd minute, Kosovare Asllani lofted a free kick into the box, which goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita punched away. What followed was four blocked shots by Sweden players until the ball fell fortuitously in front of Ilestedt, who…
