FIFA Women´s World Cup wrap: Japan clinch quarter-final spot

A hat-trick from Japan captain Homare Sawa has fired her country to a 4-0 win over Mexico and into the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-finals.

Friday’s win in Leverkusen broke a 16-year drought for Japan in the tournament, qualifying for the quarter-finals for the first time since the tournament was hosted in Sweden in 1995.

Sawa put Japan ahead after 13 minutes in Leverkusen when she headed home a perfect free-kick from Aya Miyama, and Shinoby Ohno made it 2-0 two minutes later when she fired a shot home from just inside the box.

Sawa scored her second six minutes before half-time, heading home a Miyama corner. She completed her hat-trick 10 minutes from time when she got on the end of a great run and pass from Yukari Kinga to fire home and complete the rout.

In Group B’s other match, England had to come from behind to defeat New Zealand 2-1 in Dresden and move to within two points of group leaders Japan ahead of their clash in Augsburg on Tuesday.

New Zealand went ahead after 18 minutes courtesy of a Sarah Gregorius goal. That was how it stayed until the 63rd minute, when England midfielder Jill Scott headed a cross from Alex Scott past New Zealand goalkeeper Jenny Bindon.

Just as it looked both sides would have to settle for a point, Jess Clarke scored in the 81st minute for England to give them all three points.