Spain comprehensively defeated Zambia 5-0 in Auckland to secure their qualification, along with Japan, from the group stage. The Group C of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup was one of eight groups that formed the opening round of the tournament with the matches played from 21 to 31 July 2023. The group consisted of Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia and Japan.
Spain sits in first place with a better goal differential. La Roja need a win or draw to top the group, while Japan must win because of the goal differential tiebreaker.
The five goals marked the largest single-game total at the Women's World Cup for Spain. It was never really in doubt as Spain confine Zambia to back-to-back 5-0 defeats.
Several Zambia players are in tears on the pitch, consoled by Spanish players.
Japan secured their place in the knockout stage with wins in all three group games without conceding, a first for the country. With six points, Spain earned more points this year than in their previous Women's World Cups combined; a total of five across two editions.
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Fair play points would have been used as tiebreakers in the group should the overall and head-to-head records of teams were tied.
Here's a summary of the match:
Key Moments and Goals
That's the ambition I like to see in the team," Spain coach Jorge Vilda told reporters.
Spain were given a boost ahead of the game when Vilda named midfielder Alexia Putellas in the starting lineup and the twice Ballon d'Or winner, having fully recovered from injury, was actively involved in buildup play from the start.
Abelleira settled any opening nerves with the fastest goal of the tournament when she picked up the ball after an intricate passing move in the ninth minute and fired a shot from long range that rocketed into the top corner.
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The speed of Spain's first goal from Albelleira was recorded at 94km per hour which is the fastest strike in the tournament so far from open play.
The rout began in elite fashion in the ninth minute thanks to a thunderbolt of a strike from Teresa Abelleira.
The 23-year-old Real Madrid midfielder's stunning goal will catch all the headlines, but she also turned in a controlling performance in the middle of the park.
Four minutes later, Hermoso marked her 100th appearance for Spain with an easy header at the far post after Zambia failed to defend a cross from Putellas.
Spain struck again in the 13th minute through an easy back post header from Jennifer Hermoso.
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Vilda substituted Putellas, Ona Batlle and Salma Paralluelo at halftime but Spain continued to dominate.
Zambia goalkeeper Eunice Sakala, in the team after Catherine Musonda was sent off in their group opener, made several saves but she was left stranded when Redondo was put through on goal as the forward rounded the 21-year-old goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
Hermoso, playing in her third World Cup, then grabbed her second -- and 50th for Spain -- when she pounced on a rebound off the post to fire home.
The goal was awarded after a VAR review and following some confusion over the referee's initial announcement that it was ruled out for offside.
"No goal! No offside," referee Jeong Oh-Hyeon said before correcting herself as a bewildered Spain looked on before realising it had been awarded.
Jennifer Hermoso has her 50th goal in her 100th international appearance. She is the first Spanish woman to score 50 goals, the highest goalscorer in the federation's history is David Villa with 59.
Hermoso also scored in the 70th minute. She was one of two Spain players with a brace.
Redondo then beat the offside trap late in the game to score Spain's fifth, also awarded after a VAR review when the assistant referee flagged for offside.
Alba Redondo netted goals in the 69th and 85th minutes.
Hermoso's second tally was her 50th international goal for La Roja.
Redondo came off the bench to score the 12th and 13th goals of her international career.
Spain score (or do they?) It looks onside to me at first glance! Alba Redondo has the ball in the net, taking it past the Zambia defender between her and the goal after a good delivery and sticking it past Sakala.
GOAL CONFIRMED! Alba Redondo has her goal! Well taken finish!
Sakala had the final say, however, when she made a string of saves to deny both Hermoso and Redondo from claiming hat-tricks.
Reactions and Analysis
"Mentally and physically I'm in a very good spot," Hermoso, 33, said. "I'm enjoying football, I feel lucky to defend this shirt and my country."
"Spain are very experienced... we are just developing, we still need more experience," Zambia captain Barbra Banda said.
"When you create chances, definitely you have to score. Unfortunately we didn't find any goal."
"Today's game, we actually played much better than we did the first game," Zambia coach Bruce Mwape said.
"Spain has got a lot of experience and they've played well starting from the first whistle up to the final [whistle]. I'm sure we have learned one or two things from this team.
Japan's 23% of possession was the lowest for a winning side at the Women's World Cup since this stat began being recorded in 2011.
Team Lineups
Spain XI (4-3-3): Misa; Batlle (Hernandez 46'), Paredes, Andres, Carmona; Abelleira, Bonmati (Guerrero 62'), Putellas (Redondo 46'); Caldentey (del Castillo 83'), Paralluelo (Navarro 46'), Hermoso.
Zambia XI (4-3-3): Sakala; Mweemba (Phiri 77'), Belemu, Tembo, Musesa; S Banda (Wilombe 37'), I Lungu; Mapepa (Chitundu 37'), Katonogo (Lubandji 77'), Kundananji; B.
The Group C winner faces the Group A runner-up, and the Group C runner-up takes on the Group A winner.
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