Japan knocked two-time defending champion Germany out of the Women's World Cup on Saturday, reaching the semifinals with a 1-0 win when substitute Karina Maruyama outran the defense and scored on an angled shot in extra time.
In Germany's first loss in the tournament in a dozen years, Japan absorbed relentless pressure during regulation time and hit back when it counted. Germany had not lost a World Cup game going back to a quarterfinal defeat against the United States in 1999.
Japan will be playing against the winner of the match between Sweden or Australia.
In another match France beat England 4-3 on penalties to advance to their first ever Women's World Cup semifinals on Saturday. The match went into a nail-biting penalty shootout after finishing 1-1 after extra-time.
Jill Scott had put England ahead after 59 minutes with Elise Bussaglia getting the equaliser two minutes from normal time. England's Claire Rafferty and Faye White missed their penalties as did France's Camille Abily.
France next play either Brazil or the United States for a place in the final on July 17.
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