Knockout football got underway at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup but it ended in disappointment for the three Arsenal players involved in Saturday’s games. 

Switzerland, captained by Lia Walti with Noelle Maritz in defence, conceded five against Spain. Frida Maanum’s Norway were defeated 3-1 by Japan.

The versatile Maritz started at left back in Switzerland’s opening game against Philippines before playing the following games in the centre of defence. Swiss captain Walti played every minute of Switzerland’s run to the Last 16 in midfield, a welcome return from a season-ending injury suffered in May.

Against a changed Spain side, Switzerland were on the back foot from minute one and were 4-1 down by half time. It took almost an hour for their first shot on goal, with what turned out to be Switzerland’s consolation coming courtesy of a remarkable long range own goal by Laia Codina.

Commiserations, @liawaelti and @NoelleMaritz We’re proud and looking forward to having you back home soon ?? pic.twitter.com/lVmcTmYKlX

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) August 5, 2023

Switzerland had built a platform with their strong defence in the group stage but had struggled to find any fluency going forward throughout their campaign, and all aspects of their game were found to be lacking against Spain.

With Frida Maanum dropped to the bench by Hege Riise, Japan took the lead twice against Norway who struggled defensively once again. Chelsea’s Guro Reiten scored an excellent header after Ingrid Engen’s early own goal, before a stray pass back across goal was cut out by Shimizu who found the net to restore Japan’s lead.

Maanum was introduced after 63 minutes after starting all three group stage matches, but it was Japan who sealed their place in the quarter finals with a trademark counter attack that was finished off by Miyazawa.