How it happened: Japan secured their first ever appearance in a World Cup final by coming behind to beat Sweden 3-1 in Moenchengladbach on Wednesday night.
It could have been very different for the team from the Far East, with Josefine Oqvist giving the Swedes the lead with a deflected strike on ten minutes.
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However, Nahomi Kawasumi proved to be the undoing of the Scadinavian side. She brought Japan level on 19 minutes, before Homare Sawa headed her side in front. Kawasumi saved the best for last with an audacious 35-yard lob on 64 minutes.
What it means: They will now face the United States, who withstood a barrage of pressure from France to also win 3-1 in Hamburg.
Result: France 1 United States 3
How it happened: The States went ahead in their semi-final courtesy of Lauren Cheney but the 1991 and 1999 champions did not have everything their own way.
France equalised through Sonia Bompastor’s curling effort and it looked like the Americans were in for a tough time, but Abby Wambach’s 12th World Cup goal and another from substitute Alex Morgan ensured they will travel to Frankfurt for the final.
Sunday’s clash with the Japanese will be the Americans’ third World Cup final.
Almost there: USA to face Japan in Women's World Cup final
Result: Japan 3-1 Sweden
How it happened: Japan secured their first ever appearance in a World Cup final by coming behind to beat Sweden 3-1 in Moenchengladbach on Wednesday night.
It could have been very different for the team from the Far East, with Josefine Oqvist giving the Swedes the lead with a deflected strike on ten minutes.
However, Nahomi Kawasumi proved to be the undoing of the Scadinavian side. She brought Japan level on 19 minutes, before Homare Sawa headed her side in front. Kawasumi saved the best for last with an audacious 35-yard lob on 64 minutes.
What it means: They will now face the United States, who withstood a barrage of pressure from France to also win 3-1 in Hamburg.
Result: France 1 United States 3
How it happened: The States went ahead in their semi-final courtesy of Lauren Cheney but the 1991 and 1999 champions did not have everything their own way.
France equalised through Sonia Bompastor’s curling effort and it looked like the Americans were in for a tough time, but Abby Wambach’s 12th World Cup goal and another from substitute Alex Morgan ensured they will travel to Frankfurt for the final.
Sunday’s clash with the Japanese will be the Americans’ third World Cup final.
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