Women's World Cup 2023: Team of the quarter-finals
- Eight remaining teams become have become four at the Women's World Cup
- One of Spain, Sweden, Australia and England will lift the trophy
- 90min picks the team of the quarter-finals
Four quarter-finals (eventually) produced four winners who now go on to contest the semi-finals of the 2023 Women's World Cup - there is guaranteed to be a brand new champion.
Japan were the last of the former winners to fall, going out at the hands of 2003 runners-up Sweden after establishing themselves as the team to beat over the first four games.
Co-hosts Australia broke new ground by reaching their first ever World Cup semi-final, condemning France to yet more underachievement on the biggest stage in the process. It was a similar story for Spain, seeing off a strong Netherlands team to qualify for their first semis.
Meanwhile, England continued their record of major semi-finals, having been to the last four at every major tournament they have played at since 2015.
Here, 90min presents picks for the team of the quarter-finals...
Women's World Cup 2023: Quarter-finals results
- Spain 2-1 Netherlands (aet)
- Japan 1-2 Sweden
- Australia 0-0 France (Australia won 7-6 on penalties)
- England 2-1 Colombia
READ MORE ON THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
feed
Women's World Cup 2023: Team of the quarter-finals
GK: Mackenzie Arnold (Australia) - The Matildas stopper saved four penalties in the victorious shootout, including the twice taken attempt from Kenza Dali.
RB: Ellie Carpenter (Australia) - Consistently ever since Australia got into their stride at this tournament and delivered another progressive but defensive strong performance.
CB: Jess Carter (England) - First and foremost a defender and she needed to be on top of her game to repel a talented and unpredictable Colombia attack.
CB: Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden) - Got a remarkable fourth goal of the tournament, yet was a top performer in all other aspects, both in terms of possession and defending.
LB: Ona Batlle (Spain) - Excelled on the left rather than her usual place at right-back, underlining her versatility. Good going forward and backwards.
CM: Filippa Angeldahl (Sweden) - Kept a cool head from the penalty spot to fire Sweden into the last four, but overall was outstanding out of possession aganst a very technical Japan side.
CM: Georgia Stanway (England) - Fought hard in the centre of the pitch for the Lionesses in a very physical and intense battle. That kind of grit can never be overlooked.
CM: Teresa Abelleira (Spain) - Showcased a range of passing and also made it difficult for Netherlands to play through the middle to give her team a massive foothold.
RW: Victoria Pelova (Netherlands) - Worked hard off the ball to ensure that Spain didn't have a free swing at making the semi-finals. Always looked to get the ball forward too.
ST: Alessia Russo (England) - Has struggled to assert herself at this tournament but this was a breakout moment. Played a part in both England goals, scoring the winner and forcing the first.
LW: Mariona Caldentey (Spain) - Enormously created on Spain's left flank and at times had the ball glued to her feet. Netted from the penalty spot in normal time.
WATCH FARA WILLIAMS PICK HER ALL-TIME LIONESSES XI
Girls On The Ball are joined by England legend Fara Williams as she runs through an all-time Lionesses XI of her former international teammates!