The defending champions now await the winner of Thursday's quarter-final between Germany and Russia, while Sweden, who advanced with a 2-1 victory over Brazil, will meet either 1999 runners-up China or Canada.

A powerful header from Wambach put the United States ahead for good in the 24th minute.

Following the felling of Cindy Parlow at midfield by Ane Stangeland, Cat Reddick swung a well-placed free kick into the box that Wambach viciously flicked to the far post. Goalkeeper Bente Nordby got a hand on it but could not stop the shot.

It was Wambach's third goal in the last three matches, and it followed smothering pressure by the Americans, who managed to make nemesis Norway look very average.

The Americans almost always had three players around the ball and never allowed the Scandinavian side to string together any passes.

It was a tough game physically for the Norwegians as well. Stangeland took a boot to the face from Parlow, and Trine Ronning had to leave the game after a hard tackle by Shannon Boxx.

It could have been far worse for Norway, which was kept in the game by Nordby's work in the nets.

Displaying steel nerves, the veteran stood up Mia Hamm on a penalty kick in the 67th minute after a controversial award following a flop by Wambach. She stopped shot after shot, allowing her roundly outplayed teammates a chance.

Sweden's victory over Group B winners Brazil was not without controversy.

Malin Andersson struck in the 53rd minute to break a 1-1 deadlock, and put Sweden into the semi-finals for the first time since the inaugural Women's World Cup in 1991.

"I thought we lifted up our game and lifted ourselves," Andersson said. "We wanted to make the semi-finals and we knew we had to give an inspired effort."

But Brazil were left with a bitter taste, after an apparently clear penalty in injury time went uncalled when defender Sarah Call pushed Katia out of the way, preventing her from having a shot on goal.

The Brazilians protested but to no avail.

"We believe it was a penalty kick," Brazil coach Paolo Goncalves said. "She had complete control of the ball and as she was shooting, she was tripped from behind. However, they didn't call it. That could have changed the game."

Malin Mostrom got the Swedes on top early when she threaded a cross to a waiting Victoria Svensson for the first goal at the 23-minute mark.

After substitute goalkeeper Sofia Lundgren felled Marta in the box, the ensuing penalty leveled the score a minute before the interval.

Lundgren was stepping in for Carolina Johnson, a game-time scratch.

Anderssen's winner, a roaring free kick that eluded Andriea, came after Juliana toppled Hannah Lundberg about 25 yards out.

Goncalves admitted that Sweden effectively prevented Brazil from finding their rhythm.

"It is a very difficult game," Goncalves said. "A very physical and difficult game for us, and for the young players on our team, some of them you see were even crying on the field. A very difficult game.

"We could have won the game, but couldn't get into a rhythm."

Swedish coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors said her players did exactly what they needed to do to win.

"We played a very good game today," Domanski-Lyfors said. "I think we played both tactically and technically well, like we should play against Brazil. We scouted them and knew they were a good team, but I think our team did a good job. It was hard (on us) to make it 1-1 at the half, but we were mentally strong in the second half to win the game."