Hinata Miyazawa scores again as Japan secure a deserved victory over Norway, setting up a clash with Sweden or the USA.

Japan advanced to the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals with a commanding 3-1 victory over Norway. Despite a brief setback when Guro Reiten equalized for Norway, Japan proved too strong, with Risa Shimizu and Hinata Miyazawa both finding the back of the net to seal the win.

The match started with a bang as Norway’s defense made an early mistake, allowing Mina Tanaka to force an own goal from Ingrid Engen in the 15th minute. However, Norway quickly responded when Reiten scored a powerful header in the 20th minute to level the score at 1-1.

Japan dominated possession throughout the match, controlling 61% of the ball, and quickly regained their lead early in the second half. Shimizu made it 2-1 with a brilliant strike in the 50th minute. The match was sealed in the 81st minute when Miyazawa, who had been a standout performer throughout the tournament, scored her fifth goal of the competition, extending her lead in the Golden Boot race.

Norway, despite a valiant effort, could not break down Japan’s defense, and Ayaka Yamashita, Japan’s goalkeeper, made several key saves to keep her team in front. The win means Japan, the 2011 World Cup winners, will face either Sweden or the USA in the next round.

Miyazawa’s goal also equaled the record for most goals in a single World Cup by a Japanese player, matching Homare Sawa’s 2011 tally of five goals.