West Ham United's Risa Shimizu fired in a crucial finish as Japan secured their place in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup quarter-finals with an impressive 3-1 win over Norway.
Shimizu found the net on 50 minutes with a deflected effort, restoring Japan's lead in the knock-out tie and becoming the first-ever West Ham player to score a goal at a Women's World Cup.
Having qualified for the round of 16 with a 100 per cent record in the group stages, Japan were always going to find a challenging test in Norway, but a resolute showing - including Simizu's quick finish in the second half - secured a place in the last eight for the 2011 World Cup winners.
Head coach Futoshi Ikeda made three changes to the Japan starting XI from the dominant win over Spain last time out, with West Ham midfielder Honoka Hayashi dropping to the bench for Saturday's outing. Former Iron Yui Hasegawa came into the team in midfield in her place.
Full of confidence from their phenomenal run in the competition so far, it only took Japan 15 minutes to grab the lead as Hinata Miyazawa's chipped cross caught Norway's Ingrid Engen unaware, with the midfielder prodding the ball into her own net.
It was an advantage the side richly deserved for their early-game efforts, but Guro Reiten would level the match just five minutes later. The Chelsea midfielder rose highest to meet Vilde Boe Risa's cross, heading in an equaliser with Norway's first meaningful attack of the match.
For all of Japan's dominance, it would take another Norway error for their second goal to come. But when the chance did, West Ham's Shimizu was in the right place to capitalise.
Former Hammer Hasegawa lost possession in the Norway penalty area to Boe Risa on 50 minutes, but somehow the ball ended up at the feet of Shimuz. The versatile defender struck it hard, with her shot deflecting into the net off Engen, restoring Japan's advantage.
With her finish, Shimizu became Japan's seventh different goalscorer at the World Cup so far. Hinata Miyazawa has been in fine goalscoring form for her nation at the tournament and her fifth of the competition wrapped up Japan's win on 81 minutes with a confident, low finish on the counter-attack.
The win means Shimizu, Hayashi and their Japan teammates will face either the United States or Sweden in the quarter-finals on Friday 11 August.
