Sweden hung on following a late Japan comeback to set up a meeting with Spain in the semi finals. They were two goals to the good thanks to goals from Ilestedt and Angeldal. Japan did score late on through Hayashi to make the closing stages interesting but Sweden held on to win 2-1.
Sweden had kept three consecutive clean sheets in this tournament prior to this contest and it was evident early on that they were going for four in a row as they looked composed and resolute at the back.
The Swedes saw an opportunity to put the Japanese defence under pressure as they tried to play it out form the back. But despite looking slightly shaky, they were able to keep the ball well.
Japan did win an early free kick in a dangerous position but a training ground move was dealt with by Sweden.
Without ant early goal scoring chances, it was Sweden who had had the better start overall, not allowing Japan to find any sort of rhythm with their passing.
The first big chance of the game fell to Blackstenius as a long ball over the top was not cut out and she was one-on-one but she flashed her effort wide form close rage. A warning sign for Japan but she really should have put Sweden ahead.
But they did find a goal just a few minutes later as Amanda Ilestedt fired home. There was a huge scramble in the area following a corner and it fell kindly to the number 13 who lashed a quickfire shot into the corner from point blank range.
It was the first time that the Japanese had been losing in the tournament but they were unable to fightback after going a goal down.
It was Sweden who looked more likely to add a second and they hit the post just before half time. Yamashita got her fingertips to a long range shot from Asllani and tipped it onto the post before the ball went across the face of the goal and eventually steered to safety.
There was only one team who looked up for the fight in the first half but Sweden were only one goal to the good as the referee blew for the interval.
The second half picked up where the first ended with Sweden on top and they were awarded a penalty just five minutes after the break following a handball in the box.
Filippa Angeldal stepped up and coolly slotted the spot kick into the corner to double her country's lead.
Sweden looked so composed at the back and retained possession so well that it was hard for Japan to find any sort of route back into the game as time dwindled away.
They did manufacture themselves a couple of half chances but neither found the target so Musovic remained untroubled in the Sweden goal.
Japan steadily grew into the game in the closing 20 minutes but it was too little too late with Sweden already honing a two goal advantage.
They were, however, given a lifeline with a quarter of an hour to go as they were given a penalty. Janogy clipped Ueki inside the area and although it was soft, it was given.
But, rather summing up their evening, Ueki's penalty ricocheted off the crossbar and cleared, keeping the scoreline at 2-0, and all but securing Japan's fate.
Japan's frustrations grew further and Ueki was consequently booked for a late challenge, Japan's first and last of the World Cup.
The ball would just not go in for Japan as a late free kick was somehow kept out by Musovic on the line after it hit both the post and the bar.
They finally scored seconds later though as the ball fell kindly to Hayashi after a poor clearance and she couldn't miss.
The game was back alive for the final few minutes but Japan had momentum on their side.
Sweden looked uneasy at the back for the first time as the match entered ten minutes of stoppage time.
But Sweden managed to see the game out and hang on to win 2-1 and advance through to the semi finals, knocking a resilient Japan out. Sweden will face Spain for a place in the World Cup final on Tuesday.
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