The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team didn’t have to wait long to find out its opponent in Sunday’s World Cup final.
Japan finished a 3-1 victory over Sweden moments ago, icing a berth opposite the Americans.
The Swedes — the taller, more physical team — took the lead when Josefine Oqvist found the net in the 10th minute. But Nahomi Kawasumi equalized for the Japanese just nine minutes later.
Captain Homare Sawa scored the eventual game-winner in the 60th minute, and Kawasumi added a measure of insurance in the 64th.
It was academic from then on.
Sweden had beaten the U.S. — a 3-1 winner over France in the day’s first semifinal — in the group stage. Japan topped tournament favorite and host Germany in the quarterfinals.
The final is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday (ESPN). Metro will be liveblogging from pregame on.
