It was third time lucky for Shimizu who made her way inside the area and intercepted a back pass from Boa Risa before applying the finish to restore Japan’s lead within five minutes of the restart.

 

Just after coming on for Mina Tanaka, Riko Ueki embarked on a mazy run down the right and nearly forced another own goal as her cross was headed backwards by Norway captain Maren Mjelde but goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen was alert and caught the ball.The Japanese fans at Wellington Regional Stadium breathed a collective sigh of relief as Yui Hasegawa’s attempt to block the ball inadvertently sent it into the path of substitute Karina Saevik who was left with just the goalkeeper to beat but her drilled effort crept just wide off the upright.

Miyazawa put the game to bed, adding Japan’s third goal with just nine minutes to go as she latched on the end of an exquisite through ball from youngster Aoba Fujino and kept her calm to slot home her fifth goal of the campaign, moving clear off Germany’s Alexandra Popp as the top scorer of the tournament.

It took a miraculous save from goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita to deny Norway their second goal in added time as Sophie Roman Haug headed the ball across the box for the onrushing Saevik who directed a powerful header that looked destined for the back of the net, but the INAC Kobe Leonessa players produced a flying save to keep it out and help the Nadeshiko see the game through with a two-goal margin.

 

In another match, Aitana Bonmati played a starring role with a brace and two assists as Spain defeated Switzerland 5-1 at Eden Park on Saturday to march into the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time in their history.

 

AFC