Spain and Sweden became the first sides to reach the World Cup semi-finals on Friday. The two sides will meet in the last four after Spain beat the Netherlands 2-1 and Sweden overcame Japan by the same margin. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at a tense day of action and what is in store in the remaining two semi-finals. Spanish history A controversial game in Wellington saw Spain reach the last four for the first time. VAR was a main talking point with Esther Gonzalez’s effort for Spain disallowed for offside on review. Referee Stephanie Frappart then overturned her decision to give Netherlands a penalty before VAR intervened again to give Spain a spot-kick for Stefanie van der Gragt’s handball. After all the controversy, teenage winger Salma Paralluelo came off the bench to score Spain’s 111th-minute winner. Super Sweden Sweden outplayed Japan to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the fifth time. Amanda Ilestedt’s close-range finish and Filippa Angeldahl’s penalty put them in full control six minutes into the second half. Japan did mount a late revival with Riko Ueki sending a penalty against the crossbar and fellow substitute Honoka Hayashi firing home three minutes from time. But a Japan equaliser would have been an injustice and Sweden rightfully took their place in the last four once again. First-time winners guaranteed The exit of 2011 World Cup winners Japan means a new name will be carved on the trophy. Four-time winners the United States were also beaten by Sweden in the previous round, while two-time champions Germany failed to make it out of the group stage. Norway, the only other country to win the Women’s World Cup back in 1995, were beaten in the last 16. As well as Spain and Sweden, Australia, France, England and Colombia are still in the hunt for a first World Cup triumph. England – and Becks – expects The Lionesses head into their quarter-final clash against Colombia with the pre-tournament words of former England captain David Beckham ringing in their ears. Forward Alessia Russo revealed how “heartthrob” Beckham had boosted Sarina Wiegman’s squad before their departure for Australia and New Zealand. “He was really nice. It was a pinch-me moment in terms of what women’s sport nowadays has done,” Russo said of the pre-World Cup chat. “It was amazing actually. He has been one of my idols – and heartthrobs – ever since I was a little girl.” Post of the day Quote of the day It was a pinch-me moment in terms of what women’s sport nowadays has done England's Alessia Russo on meeting David Beckham What next? Quarter-final: Australia v France (0800)Quarter-final: England v Colombia (1130) Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Dewi Lake puts injury troubles behind him to lead out Wales at Twickenham Roberto De Zerbi insists Brighton retain their ‘soul’ despite star departures David Moyes: Man City bid for Lucas Paqueta was nowhere near our valuation

Everton are hoping to secure a deal for wantaway Leeds forward Wilfried Gnonto, who is valued by the Championship club at around £30m.

West Ham United manager David Moyes has provided an update on the club's pursuit of Manchester United defender Harry Maguire after a £30m bid was accepted.

The new men’s Premier League season is about to kick off – and that means fantasy football enthusiasts will be making the final tweaks to their teams in the hope of earning early bragging rights over their friends and colleagues. But for many, the real competition starts well before the actual football begins (and no, not with those pointless pre-season “tournaments”). Picking a good team name is an art unto itself. Will you go for the funny, the shocking or the clever? Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Perhaps you’ll make a play on one of your favourite player’s names from yesteryear, or maybe you’ll stubbornly reference your mid-table League 1 team, despite the fact they will almost certainly not play in the Premier League any time soon. Or maybe you're that one person who just hasn't got any imagination, and go for some variation on "Your Mum". Hopefully, you're not that person. To help inspire those who haven’t yet picked a name, here are some of the creative, hilarious, and downright stupid names that have already been taken. Show Me Da Mane Allardyce Lost Teenage Mutant Ninja Skrtels Haven't Jota Clue Botman & Robin Obviously 'Big' Sam Allardyce isn't managing a team right now, after seeing Leeds United go down to the Championship at the end of last season. But that doesn't really matter, right? Oh, and Martin Skrtel hasn't made an appearance in the Premier League since 2016 when he was a Liverpool player. Good work by the Reds fan who came up with that rather outdated one. Here are a few more: The Wizard of Ozil Guns ’N Moses Lady Yaya Absolutely Fabregas Neville Wears Prada Seems like fantasy football fans are hell-bent on using the names of old players in their teams. Here are some more: Alisson Wonderland Lord of the Ings Obi Wan-Bissaka Backstreet Moyes Haalandaise Sauce Okay, we're getting better. At least all of those players and managers are actually still going to be involved in the action at the start of this season. The curtain raiser on the 2023/24 Premier League is Burnley versus Manchester City. The rest of the weekend sees big games like Chelsea versus Liverpool and European hopefuls Brentford versus Tottenham Hotspur, both on Sunday. So if you haven't already thought of your hilarious team name, it's time to get your skates on. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Tottenham and Bayern Munich have agreed to a fee for Harry Kane, but the star striker is expected to stay in the Premier League.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insisted Friday he had no regrets about bringing Rasmus Hojlund to Old Trafford instead...

With the Paris Olympics coming up next year, U.S. women’s water polo coach Adam Krikorian is feeling the pressure of time

Chelsea's move for Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams has broken down.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been asked about the club's interest in Bayern Munich-bound Harry Kane after instead opting to sign Rasmus Hojlund.

Did Donald Trump teach Michael Jordan to play basketball?

Today's USMNT rumors include Folarin Balogun continuing to be linked with West Ham United. Bologna has made an offer for Cade Cowell and Miles Robinson could be on his way to PSV Eindhoven.USMNT rumors: Folarin Balogun to West Ham UnitedWest Ham United are starting to get a lot of business ...

Roberto De Zerbi insists leading Premier League clubs “can’t buy our soul” as Moises Caicedo edges closer to becoming the latest star name to depart Brighton. Albion have accepted a British record transfer fee in the region of £110million from Liverpool for the Ecuador midfielder, although reports suggest he would prefer to join Chelsea. The Seagulls, who start the new season at home to newly-promoted Luton on Saturday, have become accustomed to selling key players for hefty fees. Argentina World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister moved to Anfield earlier this summer, while Arsenal pair Ben White and Leandro Trossard, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella and Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma also left the Amex Stadium in the past two years. De Zerbi is resigned to losing 21-year-old Caicedo but had a defiant message as he focused on further strengthening his squad going into a campaign which will include Europa League football. “I’ve already forgotten Moises,” said the Italian. “I’m really proud for the players we have in the squad. We have to complete the squad. “We want to improve the squad because we lost Mac Allister, we lost (Levi) Colwill (on loan from Chelsea last season), maybe we lose Caicedo. “We have to be ready because when the players leave it’s because they played well but the credit is for the club, for the players, for us, the coaches. “The big clubs can buy the players but they can’t buy our soul and our spirit. That’s not on the market and this is more important than the players when they leave. “The money is not my work, is not my job. I can answer only about the transfer market in general. Moises is leaving and is not important for me now.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live