Watch Japan vs. Norway live stream Women’s World Cup 2023 knockout stage on Aug. 5

After an extremely impressive group stage, the Japanese WNT encounter a talented Norwegian side coming off a statement win at Wellington Regional Stadium on August 5 in the Women’s World Cup knockout round.

No team is in better form leading into the Round of 16 than Futoshi Ikeda’s Japan. The Asian outfit netted an astounding 11 goals in 270 of football while remaining firm in the back line, conceding none. All of Japan’s victories in the group stage were by multiple goals including two which were won by four or more. 23-year-old Hinata Miyazawa leads the team with four goals and one assist followed by Mina Tanaka who has collected two goals and three assists so far in this World Cup.

While your group usually turns out to provide that respective team with a more favorable matchup in the knockout stages, that is not the case for the Group C winners. Hege Riise’s Norway came out of the gate scuffling but found a groove against the Philippines in the final group stage contest. The displays up until that point were not as impressive with the talented Norwegian attack failing to consistently break down the opponents’ backline. Still, there is world-class talent all over the attacking line.

Caroline Graham Hansen, arguably one of the best players in the world is going to be a thorn in the back of the Japanese all game long. It does not even stop there. Players like Sophie Román Haug, Guro Reiten, and Frida Maanum are all difference-makers that can change the contest with one moment of brilliance.

The European outfit advanced past the knockout stage in 2019, beating Australia on penalties. Japan, on the other hand, fell victim to a last-minute goal by the Netherlands in the knockouts last World Cup. These two nations have competed on the international stage nine times in the past with the Norwegians taking six of those games. 1999 was the last time the two clashed at a World Cup. The Grasshoppers cruised past the Asian side 4-0 with current head coach Riise netting the opening goal via the penalty spot.

For Ikeda’s team, it is all about counter-attacking football. When the Norwegians lose the ball, they are going to have to work to get back in order to slow down Japan’s elite transition play. The European side will hold the majority of the possession, but like the Japanese showed Spain, it is more about what you do with it that counts.

Quality is littered throughout the entire Norway squad. The only question is if Riise is going to deploy the right system to get the most out of all of them. Graham Hansen is always a must-see given her on-ball creativity. If the European power can combine all its individual talent into one cohesive unit, there is a chance the Japanese could be on their way out.

How to watch Japan vs. Norway: Women’s World Cup Streaming info

Date: Saturday, Aug. 5
Start time: 4 a.m. ET
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Stadium: Wellington Regional Stadium
TV Info: FS1
Live Stream: FuboTV (seven-day free trial)

The winner of this knockout stage clash encounters the victor of the Sweden vs. United States contest which will take place on Sunday, August 6 at 5:00 a.m. EST. Japan has a losing record all-time against both teams while the Norwegians have not taken down the USWNT in a major tournament since 1991, but are unbeaten against Sweden in major tournaments.