Europe Lands 7 Teams in World Cup Quarterfinals

Following today's wins by Italy over China, and the Netherlands over Japan, Europe will enter the quarterfinals of the 2019 Women's World Cup with seven of the remaining eight teams. Only the U.S. represents the rest of the world after Australia, Cameroon, Brazil, China, Japan, Nigeria and Canada all fell in the Round of 16. While Europe led all confederations with nine entries (out of 24), the fact that seven of its nine sides are still playing is pretty darned impressive. Only Scotland failed to reach the knockout round, and only Spain (who fell 2-1 to the U.S.) has since been eliminated.

Here's a rundown of the quarterfinal match-ups:

Norway vs England
France vs USA
Italy vs Netherlands
Germany vs Sweden

And a little background:

Norway - Winners of the 2019 Algarve Cup, Norway was eliminated by England in the Round of 16 of the 2015 World Cup.

England - Winners of the 2019 SheBelieves Cup, England finished third at the World Cup in 2015 (their best finish ever) and was knocked out of Euro 2017 in the semifinals.

France - France lost to the U.S. in the semifinals of the 2011 World Cup before finishing 4th, their best World Cup finish ever. France defeated the U.S. in a friendly this January in Le Havre 3-1.

United States - As noted earlier today, the U.S. has never missed a World Cup Semifinal.

Italy - Italy is in their first World Cup since 1999, and only missed the 2015 World Cup after losing out to the Netherlands in a playoff for the final spot 3-2 on aggregate.

Netherlands - Despite winning the Euro 2017, the Netherlands did not win their World Cup qualifying group, finishing behind Norway despite a +20 goal differential and conceding only two goals in group play. However, they were able to defeat Denmark and Switzerland to qualify.

Germany - Germany and Sweden played to a 0-0 tie in the Group Stage of Euro 2017, however Germany got the best of Sweden in the knockout round of the 2015 World Cup, dispatching them 4-1 in the Round of 16. Germany also defeated Sweden 2-1 in a friendly this April.

Sweden - Sweden has a pair of third place finishes at the World Cup (1991, 2011), but will need to solve their nemesis Germany to advance to the semifinals.