A Japanese midfielder is the surprise leader in the race for the Golden Boot after another brilliant goal at the Women's World Cup helped her side through to the last eight.

Also on the agenda was the most talked-about calf at this year's tournament, with Sam Kerr saying she's OK to play against Denmark, more records tumbling in the ticketing, and more red faces for the defenders as own goals keep coming.

Here are five talking points from the Women's World Cup.

1. Miyazawa leads the way for Japan

It's been great at this Women's World Cup to watch the top scorers in action, whether it's been displaying their poaching skills or the long-range blasts that bulge the net.

And while there were some expected names on the bill in the early stages, there have been some surprises as well.

One of those surprises has been Hinata Miyazawa of Japan.

The 23-year-old, who plays for Mynavi Sendai in the Japanese WE League, is a midfielder, and before this Women's World Cup would not have been seen as a top threat for the Nadeshiko — she had scored four times in 22 matches for the national side prior to the tournament.

But Miyazawa has hit a purple patch at the WWC. She scored a  cracking goal to help Japan beat Norway 3-1 to advance to the quarter-finals.

Her side was already leading 2-1 with under 10 minutes to go in normal time, when a perfect through ball found her in space. But Miyazawa still had work to do — her pace kept her ahead of the Norwegian defender, and then she timed and placed her shot perfectly into the far right corner of the net.

That goal makes it five for Miyazawa in four games at the tournament — one suspects she will attract more attention from defenders from here on.

2. Kerr says she's playing against Denmark

The national and international scrutiny of Sam Kerr's injured leg during this tournament has been hectic, to say the least.  

To be honest, we're stunned that there isn't a "Sam Kerr's calf" parody account on Twitter/X/Insta, etc, by now.