OLYMPICS and world champions United States of America continued their quest for a fifth gold medal in women’s football by defeating the Netherlands in the quarter-final on Friday.
The Americans won 4-2 on penalties after full-time and extra-time ended in a 2-2 stalemate.
Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema scored the Netherlands’ two goals to take her tally in the tournament to an incredible 10 in four matches, while Samantha Mewis and Lynn Williams netted for the USA in regulation time before the match went into a penalty shootout.
The Americans scored all four of their kicks, while Netherlands missed two of their first four, with the normally prolific Miedema failing to score from the spot.
Sweden joined USA in the semi-finals with a 3-1 win over hosts Japan.
Magdalena Eriksson, Stina Blackstenius and Kosovani Asllani scored for the Swedes, with Mina Tanaka netting for Japan.
Canada stunned pre-tournament favourites Brazil by beating them 4-3 on penalties after regulation time ended 0-0.
Australia claimed the fourth semi-final spot with a 4-3 extra-time win over Great Britain.
USA will face neighbours Canada in one of the semi-finals on Monday, while Sweden will take on Australia in the other semi-final on the same day.
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