Japan vs Norway 3-1: Women’s World Cup 2023 – as it happened

Thank you for joining us in our coverage today.

We’ll be back tomorrow to cover the next batch of Round of 16 games, where the Netherlands take on South Africa and Sweden play the USA!

Reminder that Japan won the whole thing in 2011.

Only two players have ever scored five goals at a single World Cup tournament for Japan:

◎ Homare Sawa (2011)
◉ Hinata Miyazawa (2023)

Another Golden Boot loading? #JPN #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/HhgjhRX3kc

— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) August 5, 2023

Norway never looked like winning here. There was a tameness that underlined their performance and they looked completely off the pace. Communication at the back was lacking and their press was non-existent. They never looked comfortable but their confidence seemed to grow when scores were level. Conceding so early in the second half was a setback they never recovered from.

This Japan team is out of this world…

Can control the game with and without the ball….rare..

Norway tried to hold them at arm's length and they went ahead and way, and the second they had to take the initiative, Japan absolutely picked them open on the counter..#JPNNOR

— Fiat Multipla 🤌 (@smatt1616) August 5, 2023

And, you have to say that they go in as favourites. They are unbeaten in the World Cup so fat and have won seven of their last eight games. Reiten’s goal today was the first they’ve conceded all tournament.

Japan are into the quarter-final!

FT: Japan 3-1 Norway

Their energy hasn’t relented. Norway’s spirit looks broken.

90+3 mins: Japan 3-1 Norway

Norway have a chance cleared off the line. Yamashita hasn’t had much to do all game but she was switched on there and clawed the ball out of the net from a goal-line scuffle.

90+1 mins: Japan 3-1 Norway

Bjelde is off, Horte is on.

87 mins: Japan 3-1 Norway

Japan very obviously a level above everyone else in the competition so far. They have the cohesion of a club side – would fancy them to outplay anyone. It's going to be annoying when they get knocked out by an inswinging corner or something rubbish like that.

— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) August 5, 2023

That was the fifth goal in the tournament for the Japanese striker. It was a finish of remarkable poise and alacrity. Hard to imagine her not winning the Golden Boot.

84 mins: Japan 3-1 Norway

Miyazawa gets the third!

Beautiful ball from midfields cuts through the Norway defence and Miyazawa times her run to perfection and easily slots home.

80 mins: Japan 3-1 Norway

Better from Norway. Maanum unleashes a shot from the edge of the box but it’s straight into Yamashita’s hands. Nice little spell here for the Norwegians.

79 mins: Japan 2-1 Norway

The ball finds kindly to Hansen from five yards out but she drags her shot wide. Tight angle but she should have done better there.

77 mins: Japan 2-1 Norway

She breaks down the right, expertly outmanoeuvres the right back but her cross is safely headed into Mikalsen’s hands by Mjelde.

Meanwhile, Norway have made a change. Hegerberg is on for Hansen. They are going for it now. Both forwards are on the pitch here.

75 mins: Japan 2-1 Norway

Tanaka off, Uemi on.

71 mins: Japan 2-1 Norway

What is so, so sad to see now is that Norway are practically assisting Japan in this game.

When they have put up their most stable (yet not stable) defensive performance in this tournament so far…

— Mia Eriksson (@mia_eriksson) August 5, 2023

They look more likely to get a third than Norway do an equaliser. Endo’s influence in the game has grown and she’s been given a lot of space down the left. Norway look far too predictable. They seem lacking in ideas when in possession. Too easy for Japan to snuff out.

68 mins: Japan 2-1 Norway

Haavi and Bøe Risa are off.

Frida Maanum and Karina Saevik are on.

63 mins: Japan 2-1 Norway

But, they are yet to do anything with it. Japan have sat back slightly and seem unbothered by giving Norway the ball.

Only twice in their history have Norway come back to win from a losing position. Can they do it here?

58 mins: Japan 2-1 Norway