TUESDAY’S RESULT
Mizuho Sakaguchi scored in the 78th minute, and JAPAN, the defending champion, beat the NETHERLANDS, 2-1, in the final round-of-16 match. Kirsten van de Ven scored in extra time when the ball went off the arm of Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori, but the Dutch were unable to tie the score. (AP)
EASING UP
Abby Wambach softened critical comments she had made about the referee in the United States’ round-of-16 win over Colombia on Monday.
“It seemed like she was purposefully giving those to the players she knew were sitting on yellows,” Wambach said after the game when asked about the yellow cards that the referee, Stephanie Frappart of France, had given Lauren Holiday and Megan Rapinoe.