Victory means Japan will face Spain in the quarter-finals on Sunday, with the two sides having met in the final of the 2018 and 2022 editions.

Japan, the 2018 champions were on the front foot from the get-go and after coming close on numerous occasions they finally went ahead in the 33rd minute.

Rihona Ujihara surged down left touchline before setting up a cross that an onrushing Miyu Matsunaga nodded home completely unopposed at the back post.

Rofiat Imuran had Nigeria’s best chance shortly after as she forced a smart save from keeper Akane Okuma but it was the Asian powerhouse that went to the break with the lead, as they have done at every match at Colombia 2024.

Maya Hijikata doubled the lead midway through the second half as she tucked home a cross from substitute Chinari Sasai at the back post; that goal taking her joint-top of the Golden Boot race, level with Brazil’s Vendito.
Olushola Shobowale did manage to pull one back for Nigeria in stoppage time but they couldn’t find a second as Japan hung on to close out the 2-1 win and set up that epic quarter-final clash with Spain.