Sweden beat Japan to face off against Spain in Women's World Cup semi-finals

Centre-back Ilestedt poked in just after the half-hour mark at Eden Park in Auckland to give Sweden a deserved lead and leave Japan trailing for the first time at the World Cup.

Angeldal made it 2-0 from a penalty seven minutes into the second half before Japan attempted a comeback, with Riko Ueki missing a spot-kick and Honoka Hayashi pulling one back with three minutes left of normal time.

Sweden then survived a late storm to advance to the semi-finals for the third time in four World Cups.

The exit of the 2011 champions Japan, following the United States, Germany and Norway, means there are no former winners left and a brand-new name will appear on the trophy after next weekend's final in Sydney.

If Sweden, runners-up in 2003, are to get there they will have to win a semi-final in Auckland next Tuesday against Spain, who defeated the Netherlands 2-1 earlier Friday in Wellington.

This was billed as the ultimate clash of footballing styles, between a slick and clinical Japan and a more rugged and aggressive Sweden.

That's the name of the game.