Women's World Cup: What to expect on Day 18

The knockout stages continue apace with Japan and Spain safely into the quarter-finals after impressive wins over Norway and Switzerland respectively.

Some heavy-hitters are in action on Day 18 with four-time champions USA, yet to catch fire at this year's tournament, facing a Sweden side that has made it to the semi-finals in two of the last three tournaments.

Before that, the Netherlands and South Africa clash in Sydney. The Netherlands were finalists in 2019, losing 2-0 to a USA side who they drew 1-1 with in this year's group stage.

South Africa are one of the surprise packets in the last 16 having stunned Italy in their final group game with Thembi Kgatlana scoring a last-gasp winner to secure a 3-2 win – and the pass to the knockout stages that went with it.

South Africa are used to being underestimated and the Netherlands will find out on Sunday that reaching the last 16 at the Women's World Cup is not the extent of their ambitions, coach Desiree Ellis said on Saturday.

Banyana Banyana surprised everyone but themselves when they beat Italy 3-2 on Wednesday to reach the knockout stages of the tournament and set up the clash against the 2019 World Cup finalists at Sydney Football Stadium.

"We've been underestimated so many times before," Ellis told reporters.

"I think this group has shown that nothing can stand in their way, this group has shown when the chips are down that they can stand up. We know who we are playing, but they don't know who they are playing.

"Because this group when the chips are down, they've just gotten better and better. And all I can say is that there's going to be a match tomorrow."

Striker Jermaine Seoposenwe said the criticism the team received after leading their opening match before losing to