MELBOURNE: Both Spain and Sweden progressed to the semi-final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Spain bested Netherlands with a 2-1 victory while Sweden outclassed Japan with the same scoreline.

Spain is entering the semi-finals of the FIFA Women's world cup for the first time. The gripping game with the Netherlands extended to injury time and it was precisely in the 111th minute that Spain’s Salma Paralluelo fired home the winner to send her country to the world cup semis.

Japan was the only remaining side in the quarter-final to have previously won a world cup. With their exit, the FIFA world cup will see a new world champion in 2023. Amanda Ilestedt opened the scoresheet for Sweden in the 32nd minute in a rather slothful first half. The defensive flubs from Japan gifted a penalty to Sweden in the second half and Filippa Angeldal did no mistake from the spot.

Japan also received a penalty in the 76th minute but Riko Ueki powered it farther away from the box.

In another quarter-final scheduled on Saturday, Australia will face France while England's opponents are Colombia.