Women's World Cup - Round of 16 Summary and Quarter Final Fixtures

Current World Cup holders Japan and debutants the Netherlands brought the first knockout stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup to a close on Tuesday night. Japan was the final team to book their place in the last eight as the tournament prepares for the Quarter Finals stage this weekend.

The remaining contenders for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup are defending champions Japan, the 2011 finalists the United States, the current World No.1 Germany, Australia, hosts Canada, China, France and England.

Below is a summary of their round of 16 games:

Germany

Germany placed four goals past Sweden in the opening game of the knockout stages as they continued on their quest towards a third FIFA Women’s World Cup title. Germany controlled the game from the kick off with little to no chances coming from the Swedes. Current tournament top goal scorer Ana Mittag opened the scoring on the 24^th minute. Before Sasic extended the German’s lead to 2 - 0 before the break from the penalty spot on the 36^th minute.

Sasic secured her brace in the game as she contends for the top goal scorer spot with a header from close range on the 78^th minute. Sweden did score a late hopeful goal on the 82^nd minute but it was the German playmaker Dzsenifer Marozsan who sealed the victory for Germany with a sliding shot flying into the upper corner of the Swedish net on the 88^th minute. The game ended Germany 4 – 1 Sweden.

China

A single goal by Wang in the opening quarter of the game was enough to secure China a place in the Quarter Finals. China faced Cameroon in their Round of 16 tie. Cameroon got the game underway and had a chance within the opening 20 seconds with an ambitious shot by Ngono Mani fired over the cross bar.

However, it was China who scored the decisive early goal. Wang Shanshan hit a volley into the Cameroon net after teammate Li Dongna found some space and played her through on the 12^th minute.

Australia

Australia won their first ever senior FIFA World Cup knockout game in the history of both male and female football on Sunday.

The game was an exciting match up filled with the youngsters of Australia against the skilful and feared Brazil. Both sides had a number opportunities including Brazil’s five time FIFA Women’s Player of the year Marta. Marta was however kept quite throughout the game with a great defensive display by 20 year old Caitlin Foord.

A late goal by second half substitute Kyah Simon secured a 1 – 0 victory against one of the tournament favourites Brazil on the 80^th minute. The deadlock was finally broken when Australian Captain Lisa De Vanna shot was saved by Luciana in the Brazilian goal before Simon pounced on the loose ball and placed it into the opposite corner of the net.

France

Another quick start found France leading inside the opening minutes of their Round of 16 tie versus Korea Republic. Marie Delie opened the scoring on the fourth minute after build up play by team mates Abily and Boulleau played her into the box.

Minutes later, in similar style it was the quick feet and movement of Le Sommer that helped play Thomis through to extend their lead to 2 – 0 on the 8^th minute.

The French extended their lead inside the restart of the second half with a great solo run of Le Sommer skipping past multiple Korean’s players before playing a short pass to Delie who scored her second of the game. The game ended 3 – 0 in favour of Les Bleues.

Canada

Hosts Canada slipped into the Quarter Final stages with a 1 – 0 victory versus Switzerland. Josse Belanger scored the decisive goal early in the second half which proved to be enough to step the host nation another step closer to the World Cup trophy. Belanger was setup by Canadian Captain Christine Sinclair in an almost sold out crowd at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. The hosts are set to play their Quarter Final game on Saturday in a match which is near to be a sell out again in the stadium which is set to host the World Cup Final on July 5th.

England

England toughened out a storm in their Round of 16 game versus Norway. England spent most of the game on the back foot with Norway pressuring the side. English goalkeeper Karen Bardsley came to the rescue a number of times as she pulled off key saves to keep the game scoreless.

Norway finally broke the deadlock on the 54th minute with Gulbrandsen scoring a near post header from a corner kick. England found themselves level moments later when Captain Steph Houghton scored a header on the 61st minute. It was England defender Lucy Bronze who stole the show as she launched a missile from outside the Norwegian box into the upper corner of the goal. Bronze strike on the 76th minute proved to be golden as England secured a 2 - 1 victory and a spot in the Quarter Final.

United States

The United States marked their spot in the Quarter Finals with a 2 - 0 victory versus Colombia. Although it was a strong score line on the scoreboard the performance was minimal from the stars and stripes.  The game remained scoreless at the break with Colombia's third choice keeper Catalina Perez making some key saves in the opening half.

Colombia were dealt a hard blow early in the second half as they were reduced to ten players. Perez was sent off on the 46th minute for a challenge on Alex Morgan and the United States were awarded a penalty. A highly debatable decision considering the keeper was not last man back and it was on the edge of the box. All time leading International goal scorer Abby Wambach stood up to take the penalty but by surprise Wambach opted to take it with her left leg and watched her shot sail wide of the target.

Alex Morgan eventually put the American's ahead on the 53rd minute with a cross come shot beating replacement keeper Stefany Castona. The American's extended their lead with another penalty on the 66th minute. This time Carli Lloyd stood up and placed the ball into the lower right corner.

Japan

Current World Cup holders Japan sealed their spot in the final eight in a 2 - 1 victory versus the Netherlands in the final Round of 16 game. A goal by in the first half by Ariyoshi and Sakaguchi in the second half was enough to bring the Japanese a step closer to redeeming the World title for a second time.

FIFA Women's World Cup Quarter Finals:

Friday

Germany vs. France - Montreal - 4pm Local (9pm Irish)

China vs. United States - Ottawa - 7:30pm Local (Saturday - 12:30am Irish)

Saturday

Australia vs. Japan - Edmonton - 2pm Local (9pm Irish)

England vs. Canada - Vancouver - 4:30pm Local (Sunday - 12:30am Irish)