Arsenal’s summer signing Amanda Ilestedt has continued her goalscoring form at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, finding the back of the net once again in Sweden’s quarter-final win over Japan.

Stina Blackstenius started upfront with Ilestedt partnering Magdalena Eriksson at the centre of defence. The centre back scored three headers in the group stage but this time thumped the ball home from close range to put Sweden in front for her fourth goal of the tournament. Only Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa has scored more goals in this World Cup.

Filippa Angeldahl scored Sweden’s second from the penalty spot after a handball before Riko Ueki blasted a spot-kick onto the crossbar for Japan, who finally pulled a goal back with three minutes to go through Honoka Hayashi.

Lina Hurtig was introduced after 73 minutes after her winning penalty against the USA and Sweden were able to hang on against a Japan side who many pundits and fans tipped to go all the way.

Arsenal’s three Swedes will play Spain on Tuesday for a place in the final after Jorge Vilda’s side beat the Netherlands 2-1 after extra time.

Victoria Pelova started at right wing back again and was targeted by Spain down their left flank, with the Dutch dominated in the first half. Spain hit the post twice in quick succession and had a goal ruled out for offside, finally getting the breakthrough thanks to a penalty from Mariona Caldentey.

The Netherlands equalised at the start of twelve minutes of added time. Defender Stepganie van der Gragt was thrown upfront and it was Arsenal’s Pelova who slipped the ball in behind the Spain defence for van der Gragt to run on to and find the net to take the game into extra time.

It was then the Dutch, and Lineth Beerensteyn in particular who missed a number of excellent chances in extra time, and they were punished- a great run and finish by teenage winger Salma Paralluelo to send the Netherlands home.

Pelova played the entirety of the 120 minutes and will return to her preferred midfield role for Arsenal in the upcoming season.

? @ArsenalWFC's 2023 World Cup goalscorers4? @amandailestedt ??2? @stephcatley ??1? @Katie_McCabe11 ?? @SBlackstenius ?? @alessiarusso7 ??????? @CaitlinFoord ?????

— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) August 11, 2023