And so we arrive at the quarter-final stage, with the all-European clash of Spain and the Netherlands getting things under way, followed by in-form Japan taking on Sweden, who eliminated the holders USA.
Spain fired five past Switzerland in the round of 16, a Swiss side who had kept three clean sheets in the group phase. Aitana Bonmati netted twice for the Spaniards, who had earlier shipped four goals against Japan.
Jill Roord scored her fourth goal of the tournament as the Netherlands accounted for South Africa 2-0 last Sunday, with Lineth Beerensteyn adding the second.
Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar stood tall when required in a game where the South Africans had chances, but the 2019 finalists had enough in reserve to progress to the last eight for the second successive tournament.
Hinata Miyazawa scored her fifth goal of the tournament as Japan beat Norway 3-1 in a clash of former champions in the round of 16.
That scoreline somewhat flattered the Norweigans who, apart from a ten-minute spell in the second half when they emerged from their defensive shell, were disappointing throughout.
In what is the most open of World Cups, Japan now have the backing of many to go all the way. On the basis of Sweden's performance against the USA, you'd fancy them to make the semis.
The Swedes, who offered little as an attacking threat beat the United States 5-4 on penalties to knock out the defending champions after the teams were locked at 0-0 at the end of extra-time.
In a madcap shoot-out, Lina Hurtig struck the winning spot-kick, though US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher parried the ball on the line and the result needed to be confirmed by VAR.
Sophia Smith had had the chance to win the match for the four-times champions but blasted the ball over the bar.
Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic emerged as the hero, having kept the Scandinavians in the match, making 11 saves before the shootout to deny the Americans
Spain's build-up to the tournament was mired in an ugly player mutiny, but coach Jorge Vilda said there are no cracks in his squad ahead of their clash with the Netherlands.
"The team is united. We have a group that competes and they are all fighting for the same objective, and they're very motivated," Vilda told reporters on Thursday.
Last September, 15 players declared themselves unavailable for selection around events they said impacted their emotional and physical health, directing the bulk of their complaints at Vilda. The Spanish federation backed the coach.
While only six of those players are at the World Cup, La Roja has already made history by qualifying for the quarter-finals for the first time in three appearances.
"We are concentrating on what we're doing now, the 23 players, we are committed to achieving the same objective with the same willpower and we want to continue in this World Cup," said Ivana Andres, one of the half dozen who returned to the team.
"We have an excellent relationship with Jorge," added the Real Madrid defender. "We have total confidence in him. We believe that we are a team, not only the players, but all the technical staff. And we all have shared responsibility in the match. If we win, we all win and if we lose, we all lose."
The Netherlands have a "small book" on their Spanish opponents, having plumbed the knowledge of several players with extensive experience in Spain, Dutch coach Andries Jonker revealed.
Damaris Egurrola, who was born in the United States to a Dutch mother and Spanish father, played for Spain at youth and senior level for four years before switching allegiances to the Netherlands in 2022.
Aniek Nouwen and Lieke Martens each played professionally for five years in Spain, while Stefanie van der Gragt played there for two.
"So, of course we spoke with our players knowing a lot about Spain. Of course our scouting team did its job. Of course my staff did the job, and I did myself the job. So we know everything about Spain," Jonker said. "We have a small book about them. I think they won't surprise us.
"We hope it will be helpful, but then in the end, you don't win a game in the preparation. You have to win it on the pitch."
The match will be shown live at 3am in Spain and the Netherlands, a time slot intended for the U.S., who instead crashed out in the last-16.
Jonker encouraged Dutch fans to rise early to watch.
"If you like good football, if you like the fight, if you like tension, then watch it," the coach said. "I can imagine it's difficult to get up in the middle of the night, but if you really like it then get up."
In team news, the Dutch must plan without suspended midfielder Danielle van de Donk. Much focus will be on the goalscoring threats of Aitana Bonmati and Jill Roord, with Spain's Alba Redondo also a threat up front in what should be a close contest. Extra-time, maybe penalties to decide this one.
After the early exits of the United States, Germany and Norway, Japan are the last former winners remaining in the tournament.
In terms of their play at this tournament, Japan could hardly be in a better place. They romped through the group stage scoring 11 goals and conceding none before sending 1995 champions Norway packing.
The Swedes will present a similar threat to the Norwegians but coach Futoshi Ikeda said his team would not be intimidated by the physically imposing Scandinavians.
"Of course, they are tall but we are prepared for that," he said.
"Our players are ready for any challenge. We're going to be compact at our end and we're going to mark their players and cover everything else very properly."
The Nadeshiko have shown remarkable flexibility in the tournament by adjusting their tactics according to the opposition. Ikeda said that would not change on Friday.
"Against Sweden, we need to first figure out where they are putting pressure on us. I think our players will notice that from the beginning," he said.
"After that, we're going to decide where our defensive lines and so on should be. But we don't want to be just about defence. We want to keep compact in midfield and put pressure on them as well."
Sweden knocked Japan out of their own Olympics two years ago but Ikeda did not think that 3-1 quarter-final loss in Saitama would have much bearing on Friday's clash, even if his team was feeling similar support from the Japanese people.
"Our team is very different," he said. "It's a different challenge. It's difficult to compare, but the support of the people in Japan watching on TV is something that we can really feel at this World Cup."
Sweden will be wary of their passing game but are backing themselves to beat the 2011 champions in by starving them of possession.
Coach Peter Gerhardsson said his team had no reference from their previous World Cup matches to deal with the versatile Japanese, who have changed tactics according to their opponents.
However, the Swedes believe they have the game-plan to shut them down.
"It'll be a one-on-one situation that will decide this game," he told reporters at a press conference.
"Of course, we need to try to stop their passing game.
"We've talked a lot about if you want to gain possession you can do that very high up the field. We're going to have to do both.
"We're going to have to be patient ... We're going to have to work harder.
"We can win against them in a one-on-one situation but it's going to take a few more passes.
"But when you do get in possession, you're going to have to be very fast and take the opportunity and make use of our physique and our strength."
Both sides are likely to be unchanged.
Hana Takahashi looks set to start a third consecutive game at the back for Japan.
Hinata Miyazawa is currently the tournament's top scorer and will aim to her haul, while Fridolina Rolfo is the main threat up front for the Swedes.
Additional reporting: Reuters
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