Champions Japan qualify for knockout stage

Defending champions Japan became the first team to qualify for the round-of-16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup after defeating Cameroon 2-1 in Vancouver.

Japan got off to a flying start, scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes to leave Cameroon chasing the game.

Aya Sameshima scored the first goal in the sixth minute capitalising on a Nahomi Kawasumi’s cross which found her in the crowded box.

Yuika Sugasawa doubled the lead 10 minutes later when Cameroon’s keeper Annette Ngo Ndom was left stranded after misjudging a cross from Japanese captain Aya Miyama.

Cameroon’s pressure finally paid off as Ajara Nchout scored in the 90th minute, taking a through ball behind the Japanese defence and finishing past Ayumi Kaihori at the near post.

Switzerland recorded their first FIFA Women’s World Cup win with an emphatic 10-1 annihilation of Ecuador.

The result equalled the tally set in 2007 when Germany pummelled Argentina 11-0 for the most goals in a match.

Fabienne Humm set a new record after scoring a five-minute hat-trick to surpass the previous record of eight minutes.

Also, Ramona Bachmann scored a treble, which included two goals within a minute.

It was a constant one-way traffic of goals as the Swiss bounced back from their 1-0 loss to Japan in their first match.

Japan now sit atop Group C with six points, while Cameroon drop down to third behind Switzerland on goal difference.