Japan defeated Norway 3-1 in the Round of 16 game at the FIFA Women's World Cup at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, on Saturday, reaching the quarterfinals.

Both sides have won the World Cup titles before – Norway in 1995 and Japan in 2011. Japanese players have more exquisite skills against the size and power advantages of their Norwegian counterparts.

Japan were kissed by luck first as Norway's Ingrid Syrstad Engen had an own goal in the 15th minute, placing the opponents on a 1-0 lead. Nonetheless, it didn't take Norway long to fight back. Guro Reiten tied the score 1-1 for her team five minutes later. Neither side posed any major threat to the others' defense in the rest of the first half.

Japan struck first again in the second half. Risa Shimizu cut Norway clear in the box and scored for her side to lead again in the 50th minute. Norway had to press more forward afterward for offense's sake, leaving more space behind their defensive line for Japan to exploit, as a result.

Hinata Miyazawa added the third goal for Japan in counterattack in the 81st minute, extending their lead to two goals. It was her fifth goal in the World Cup, enabling her to have the leading scorer position all by herself and matching the Japanese scoring record in the World Cup kept by Homare Sawa.

Japan will meet the winner between USA and Sweden to compete for a semifinals berth.

In the other Round of 16 game earlier on Saturday, Spain secured a 5-1 big win over Switzerland, advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in history.

Spanish players scored all six goals of the game, including an own goal by Laia Codina in the 11th minute. Aitana Bonmati contributed two goals and two assists as one of the best-performing ones on Spain's side.

Spain will play the winner between South Africa and the Netherlands to compete for a spot in the semifinals of the tournament.