The first round of knockout stage matches are underway as the Netherlands beat South Africa 2-0 to progress and the USA prepare to take on Sweden in the last 16
An unpredictable and unprecedented group stage Down Under has given way to the knockout rounds with plenty more drama and high stakes in store.
Spain and Japan became the first two teams to book themselves berths in the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals following their victories on Saturday against Switzerland and Norway respectively.
Spain got things underway as they thrashed Switzerland 5-1 to be the first team to punch their ticket to the next round.
Japan made similarly light work of Norway as Futoshi Ikeda’s side dominated the tenor and tone. Second-half strikes from Risa Shimizu and Hinata Miyazawa claimed the win after Chelsea star Guro Reiten brought Norway back level in the first half following an own goal from Ingrid Engen.