Women's World Cup: Germany beat Sweden to reach quarter-finals

Germany produced an assured display to reach the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup with victory over Sweden.

Silvia Neid's side went ahead through Anja Mittag - the tournament joint top scorer's fifth goal in Canada.

Celia Sasic got her first of two goals from the spot after Mittag was fouled, before heading home from close range.

Sweden, ranked fifth in the world, showed belief after a late Linda Sembrant header but rarely threatened and Dzsenifer Marozsan sealed the win.

Germany, ranked number one in the world, will now play France or South Korea, who meet at 21:00 BST on Sunday, while England play Norway in their last-16 match at 22:00 on Monday.

World Cup winners in 2003 and 2007, Germany have also won the last six European Championships and conceded just one goal and scored 15 as they qualified for the knockout stage as Group B winners.

In Ottawa they were dominant from the outset, twice going close in the opening two minutes as Alexandra Popp and Simone Laudehr spurned clear chances before Mattag's curled shot from outside of the box went in off the post.

Since losing to Germany in the final of the 2003 World Cup, Sweden finished third at the 2011 edition, where hosts Germany were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Japan.

Pia Sundhage's side had shown signs of recovery having gone behind but found themselves facing a tougher task when Sasic scored her 61st international goal following Amanda Ilestedt's trip.

Striker Sofia Jakobsson headed over from close range just before half-time but Sweden produced their best play after Sasic turned in a rebound to put Germany 3-0 up with only 12 minutes to play.

Linda Sembrant's powerful header from a Therese Sjogran free-kick gave them hope with eight minutes remaining, but Jakobsson was denied by Nadine Angerer before substitute Marozsan's top corner finish.

Sasic scored her 62nd goal for Germany with a close-ranger header following a rebound

Sembrandt's header gave Sweden hope with eight minutes to play

Germany will now meet France or South Korea, who play on Sunday, in the last eight