Women's World Cup - Quarter-Final Summary and Semi-Final Fixtures

After an intense weekend of drama in the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada only four teams remain within grasp of the FIFA Women's World Cup title. They are current World number one Germany, 2011 runners up United States, current World champions Japan and England.

Germany

The German's blazed through the opening stages of the tournament. After securing a top of the group finish in Group B before putting four goals past Sweden in a 4 - 1 win at the Round of 16 stage.

Germany faced both a tactical and technical French team on Friday evening in the Quarter Finals who had secured top spot in Group F. The game remained scoreless at half time but finished level with one goal scored a piece. France took the lead on the 64th minute through midfielders Louisa Necib's deflected shot. France had the upper hand in the game and it looked as if the German's would be exiting earlier than expected. Germany were awarded a late penalty on the 84th minute for a debatable hand ball inside the French box by Amel Majri. Germany's Sasic stepped up and coolly slotted her side’s chance into the bottom left hand corner of the French net.

The game ended 1 -1 and went into extra time with France's Gaetane Thiney missing a  late chance to put her side into the last four within the dying moments. After 120 minutes played, it remained France 1 - 1 Germany and the decisive spot kicks were required. Germany came out on top in a 5 - 4 shootout with French U20 star Claire Lavogez shot stopped by German Captain Nadine Angerer.

United States

The United States have had a slow and unimpressive start to their campaign. The stars and stripes topped the group of death Group D in the opening stages of the tournament and secured a 2 - 0 victory versus ten man Colombia in the Round of 16.

Friday evening they faced China in the Quarter Finals and it appeared they were starting to come into form with fans seen glimpses of their fast pace and movement. The United States dominated throughout the game with 17 shots on the Chinese goal. However, it was the United States Captain Carli Lloyd who scored the lone goal to secure her side a place in the final four just six minutes after the break. Lloyd who was celebrating her 200th cap placed a towering header into the net from a long range ball by Julie Johnston to head the United States into a Semi Final versus Germany on Tuesday night.

Japan

Current FIFA Women's World Cup holders Japan got a step closer to redeeming their title last night. Japan faced Australia in their Quarter Final game after progressing to the Quarter Final after winning all of their group games in Group C and eliminating tournament debutants the Netherlands in a 2 -1 victory in the Round of 16. Australia on the other hand had a tougher draw after finishing second in the group of death Group D and knocking out one of the tournaments favourites Brazil in a historic 1 - 0 victory.

Australia found it hard to break down the possession orientated Japan for periods of the game and it was a late goal by Japanese substitute Mana Iwabuchi that marked the difference between the two sides on the scoreboard. An unmarked Iwabuchi inside the six yard box from an un-cleared corner kick gave the current World Champions a 1 - 0 lead on the 72nd minute which proved to be enough on the night.

England

England secured their first ever FIFA Women's World Cup Semi Final spot last night versus the hosts Canada in Vancouver. England progressed to the Quarter Final after finishing second in Group F and sneaking a 2 - 1 win versus Norway in the Round of 16. Their opponents Canada topped Group A and had a narrow victory versus Switzerland in the Round of 16.

England faced the Canadian's in front of over 54,000 Canadians at BC Place stadium which is set to host the final on July 5th. Canada got off to a quick start with the first effort of the game coming from Melissa Tancredi after Captain Christine Sinclair nutmegged past Laura Bassett before placing a long ball to find Tancredi in space. Tancredi moved into shooting distance but hit her shot high and off target of the English net.

Two quick successive goals proved to be vital for the Lionesses in the end. Jodie Taylor opened the scoring on the 11th minute as she pounced on a miskick by Canada's Lauren Sesselmann. Taylor sprinted onto the loose ball and pushed the ball past the remaining defenders as she drew goalkeeper Erin McLeod away from her goal line before firing her shot into the Canadian net.

The Lionesses doubled their lead moments later when a Fara Williams free-kick was met by the head of teammate Lucy Bronze which clipped the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the line to give England a 2 - 0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes of the match. Canada pressed for opportunities throughout the half to try get back into the game and it was Canadian Captain Christine Sinclair who gave them a lifeline on the 42nd minute when she tapped in a loose ball from a Karen Bardsley save inside the English box.

England had to replace their number one goalkeeper Karen Bardsley early in the second half due to an eye injury which appeared to be a result of the black pellets from the artificial turf but substitute Siobhan Chamberlain continued to demand the English box as they secured a historic 2 - 1 victory.

FIFA Women's World Cup Semi Finals

Tuesday 30th June

United States vs. Germany - Montreal - 7pm Local (Midnight Irish)

Wednesday 1st July

Japan vs. England - Edmonton - 5pm Local (Midnight Irish)