Japan thrashed Spain 4-0 in the final round of group games at the World Cup to ensure they topped Group C with a perfect record.
2023 Women's World Cup
4-0
Match Report
Futoshi Ikeda's side raced out of the blocks in New Zealand and took the lead when Hinata Miyazawa won a foot race to slide the ball past Misa Rodriguez and condemn the team ranked sixth in the world to their first goal conceded of the tournament.
The Europeans dominated the ball but struggled to create opportunities and it was soon 2-0 thanks to Riko Ueki, who finished off another fine Japan counter attack to double her side's lead.
Spain's lack of pace continued to show and before half-time it was 3-0. Miyazawa netted her second of the game as her team took an unassailable lead in what was a group-defining game.
It was Japan's third shot of the game but they were proving clinical, with the 23-year-old taking the lead in the race for the Golden Boot as she took her goal tally to four for the tournament.
The fourth goal arrived just before full time with Mina Tanaka netting what was one of the goals of the tournament.
Picking the ball up on the right, she accelerated into the middle of the park, producing fine skill before creating space for herself and curling a fine left-footed effort into the top corner.
The result will be a huge confidence booster for Japan, who, as underdogs, will now fancy their chances of going far in the tournament.
For Spain, however, who were perhaps second favourites to lift the trophy behind the USA, the result will come as a blow, and Jorge Vilda's side must regroup ahead of the knockout stages.
Line-ups
Japan XI: S. Kumagai, H. Naomoto, A. Yamashita, R. Shimizu, M. Minami, H. Miyazawa, F. Nagano, Jun Endo, R. Ueki, H. Takahashi, Hayashi Honoka
Subs: M. Tanaka, Chika Hirao, Y. Hasegawa, S. Miyake, H. Sugita, K. Seike, Momoko Tanaka , Remina Chiba, Rion Ishikawa, Aoba Fujino, Maika Hamano, Miyabi Moriya
Spain XI: Alexia Putellas, Jenni Hermoso, Irene Paredes, Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmati, Ona Batlle Pascual, Rocío Gálvez, Olga Carmona, Teresa Abelleira, Misa Rodríguez, Salma Paralluelo
Subs: Esther Gonzalez, Ivana Andrés, Claudia Zornoza, Alba Redondo, Irene Guerrero, Cata Coll, Eva Maria, Enith Salón, Athenea Del Castillo, Oihane Hernández Zurbano, Laia Codina, María Pérez