Sweden to face Netherlands in Women's World Cup semi-final after shock victory over Germany

Sweden pulled off one of the shocks of the Women's World Cup to beat Germany 2-1 and reach the semi-finals.

Die Frauen took the lead through Lina Magull after the quarter-hour mark and looked to be heading towards the last four.

But back came Sweden, who equalised just six minutes later when Sofia Jacobssen struck home.

Both sides pushed for a winner and it came when Stina Blackstenius put Sweden in front three minutes after the interval.

Germany desperately searched for a leveller and had a strong penalty shout turned down after goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl collided with Alexandra Popp, but the Germany striker was marginally offside.

But Sweden held out to set up a clash with Holland in the last four, who reached the Women's World Cup semi-finals for the first time.

Second-half headers from Vivianne Miedema and Stefanie Van Der Gragt were enough to seal a 2-0 win over Italy in Valenciennes.

Prolific Arsenal striker Miedema glanced home Sherida Spitse's free-kick to break the deadlock with 20 minutes remaining, before defender Van Der Gragt secured a deserved Dutch success 10 minutes later, nodding home another Spitse set-piece.

The soaring temperatures resulted in scheduled drink breaks and contributed to a drab, uneventful opening 45 minutes.

Italy, playing their first World Cup quarter-final since 1991, were the lowest-ranked team left in the tournament and considered by many as this year's surprise package.

But their journey came to an end when Miedima flicked home her 61st goal for her country and third of the competition, before Van Der Gragt climbed high at the back post to power home Spitse's floated free-kick from the right.