England face Colombia test, Japan eye Women's World Cup semi-finals
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The Women's World Cupis down to the last eight, with European champions England widely seen as the favourites to lift the trophy following the elimination of holders the United States.
AFP Sport looks ahead to the quarter-final action on Friday and Saturday in Australia and New Zealand:
SPAIN v NETHERLANDSWellington, Friday at 0100 GMT
The first quarter-final might be the most-evenly matched, with a Spain side sitting sixth in the worldrankings facing the ninth-ranked Netherlands.
Spain are in the quarter-finals for the first time despite reigning Ballon d'Or Alexia Putellas struggling to make an impact as she continues to recover fitness following a ruptured ACL. Instead her Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati has been the standout.
Coach Jorge Vilda made sweeping changes to his line-up for the 5-1 last-16 win over Switzerland and must decide whether to stick with the likes of Laia Codina in central defence and Cata Coll in goal.
Kenya referee, Mary Njoroge, officiates Sweden vs. Argentina Women's World Cup match
FootballThe Netherlands, runners-up in 2019, have put the absence at the tournament due to injury of prolific striker Vivianne Miedema behind them and topped their group ahead of the USA.
Andries Jonker's team have conceded just one goal so far. They will need to be strong at the back against a Spain team that has notched 13 goals in four games.
JAPAN v SWEDENAuckland, Friday at 0730 GMT
Practically written off before the tournament, Japan are the only former World Cup winners still standing following the exits of the USA, Germany and Norway. The 2011 champions have been clinical, scoring 14 goals and letting in just one in wins over Zambia
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