View 4 more
France's Wendie Renard, right,watches Sweden's Nilla Fischer (5) celebrate scoring the opening goal during the quarter-final women's soccer match at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, at Hampden Park Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland. Chris Clark, Associated Press
View 4 more
Sweden's Caroline Seger, left, France's Gaetane Thiney, center, and Sweden's Nilla Fischer, right, jumps for the ball during the quarter-final women's soccer match between France and Sweden at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, at Hamp Chris Clark, Associated Press
View 4 more
Sweden's Nilla Fischer (5) reacts as the ball hits her during the quarter-final women's soccer match against France at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, at Hampden Park Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland. Chris Clark, Associated Press
View 4 more
Sweden's Nilla Fischer, left, watches as her shot is blocked by France's Gaetane Thiney, right, during the quarter-final women's soccer match at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, at Hampden Park Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland. Chris Clark, Associated Press
View 4 more
Sweden's Caroline Seger, center, is caught between France's Wendie Renard, left, and Sarah Bouhaddi as they leap for the ball during the quarter-final women's soccer match at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, at Hampden Park Stadium i Chris Clark, Associated Press
By Associated Press

GLASGOW, Scotland — France advanced to the semifinals of the women's Olympic football tournament on Friday by beating Sweden 2-1 with goals by defenders Laura Georges and Wendie Renard.

Sweden captain Nilla Fischer opened the scoring in the 17th minute after the ball bounced off her shoulder following a corner kick, but France rallied with a header by Georges in the 29th and a close-range shot by Renard in the 39th to at least equal its best campaign in a major women's tournament. It also reached the semifinals of last year's World Cup.

Making its Olympic debut, France will play either Brazil or defending World Cup champion Japan, who will play later on Friday in Cardiff, Wales.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.