Spain have secured their second victory at the 2023 World Cup this summer, with a comfortable 5-0 rout of Zambia at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.
Match Report
Teresa Abelleira opened the scoring while Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo scored twice to give Spain their second victory, which also assured Japan of last-16 qualification after they beat Costa Rica 2-0 earlier on Wednesday.
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.
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 Alexia Putellas.
Spain continued to dominate after halftime although Zambia goalkeeper Eunice Sakala made several saves. But she was left stranded when Redondo was put through on goal as the forward rounded the 21-year-old keeper to make it 3-0.
Hermoso then grabbed her second -- and 50th for Spain -- when she pounced on a rebound off the post to fire home, a goal awarded after some confusion over the referee's initial announcement that it was ruled out for offside.
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.
Both Spain and Japan have six points and will play each other on Monday for top spot in the group.
Line-ups
Spain XI: Ivana Andrés, Alexia Putellas, Jenni Hermoso, Irene Paredes, Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmati, Ona Batlle Pascual, Olga Carmona, Teresa Abelleira, Misa Rodríguez, Salma Paralluelo
Subs: Esther Gonzalez, Claudia Zornoza, Alba Redondo, Irene Guerrero, Cata Coll, Rocío Gálvez, Eva Maria, Enith Salón, Athenea Del Castillo, Oihane Hernández Zurbano, Laia Codina, María Pérez
Zambia XI: A. Musase, L. Mweemba, M. Tembo, M. Belemu, B. Banda, I. Lungu, Evarine Katongo, Racheal Kundananji, Siomara Mapepa, Eunice Sakala, S. Banda
Subs: V. Phiri, H. Chanda, A. Chitundu, G. Chanda, O. Lubandji, H. Mubanga, Mary Wilomb, Esther Banda, Letisha Lungu, Judith Soko, Mary Mulenga
Mangisha
518
I love my country, Zambia. Am proud of these ladies. We aren't giving nobody more than 5 goals. That's called consistency. Costa Rica should be rest assured, it's 5 goals in the game. For us or them.
Amgnonijunior
498
Jenni Hermoso to Alba Redondo after scoring brace 👇👇
berringtonmungundu60
345
My country Zambia, don't worry girls we love you so much. It's not our time, next time... God bless you all 💯🙏
Shmonny
137
This girl is better then Ferran Torres 💯