Sweden defender Amanda Ilestedt in Golden Boot race

Sweden reached the semi-finals after demonstrating once again their expertise from set pieces, with central defender Amanda Ilestedt being the chief beneficiary. The 30-year-old joined Arsenal just a few weeks before the World Cup got underway to take the sting out losing captain Leah Williamson to an ACL injury. Now she is one of a handful players still in with a chance of winning the Golden Boot in Australia and New Zealand.

Amanda has scored four goals in five games - more than a third of Sweden’s overall tally (11), a vital contribution in helping the Blagult reach the semis for the fifth time.

For now, the Golden Boot race is still headed by Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa who has scored five goals at the event although she will not be able to add to that as the Nadeshiko were eliminated in the quarter finals - precisely by Sweden. Level with Ilestedt on four goals are three players who like Miyazawa, are no longer involved in the tournament: Kadidiatou Diani (France), Jill Roord (Netherlands) and Alexandra Popp (Germany).

And just behind are a number of players on three goals whose teams head into next week’s semi-finals. For Spain: Aitana, Jenni and Alba Redondo all could add to their personal tallies - as could Australia’s Hayley Raso.

Lauren James is England’s top scorer but she might not get a chance to make her way up the goal scorers’ ranking. She has served the first half of a two-game ban after being sent off in the Round of 16 tie against Nigeria. She sat out the quarter final win over Colombia and will miss Wednesday’s semi-final against Australia - her only chance is if the Lionesses go all the way to the final, or the game for third place.

Other players who are still in the race include Lauren Hemp, Rebecka Blomqvist, Stephanie Catley and Fridolina Rolfo - all on two goals and heading into the semis with their respective teams.

Ice cool

For now, Amanda Ilestedt is the best placed to pull level with or overtake Miyazawa.

Amanda comes from a sporting family so unsurprisingly, it’s in her genes - her great-uncle Sven Tumba was one of the most renowned Nordic players in the sport in the 1950s and 1960s and her cousin Oliver Ekman-Larsson currently competes in the NHL, the top hockey league of the world.

Clubs such as Rosengard, Bayern Munich and PSG have enjoyed her talent and now her career is about to take a new turn in England with Arsenal. Gunners coach Jonas Eidevall said of her: “I’m delighted that Amanda has joined us here at Arsenal. She brings extensive international experience and I believe she has a great mix of presence and technical ability, making her an ideal fit for our squad. I enjoyed working with Amanda during our time in Sweden and am looking forward to coaching her here at Arsenal too.”

She has been a regular fixture for Sweden since youth level and has won two Olympic silver medals (2016 and 2020) with the national team.