Video
Details
Date | Time | League | Season |
---|---|---|---|
26 July 2023 | 8:30 am | Women's World Cup | 2022/23 |
Match Report
Spain secured a spot in the last sixteen as they eased past Zambia in Auckland, braces from Alba Redondo and Jennifer Hermoso plus a Teresa Abelleira strike doing the damage. Knowing that victory would secure last sixteen qualification for themselves and Japan, who won earlier today, Spain started with intent, Alexia Putellas seeing plenty of the ball on her first start of the tournament. Against the bottom ranked side competing in the World Cup, Spain picked up where they left off from beating Costa Rica 3-0 as nine minutes in, they took the lead in spectacular style. Receiving the ball in space outside the penalty area, Teresa Abelleira unleashed a scorcher of a shot which flew past stranded goalkeeper, Eunice Sakala, into the top corner for the tournament’s fastest goal yet. Moments later, Jennifer Hermoso doubled the lead, the number 10 left with a simple task of heading home from two yards after Putellas floated a delightful chip onto her head. Susan Banda looked lively on the counterattack for Zambia as they sought a route back despite being smothered by Spain’s monopolisation of the ball. She was forced from the fray with injury as half time neared, the Zambians holding firm but at considerable energy-sapping cost. The Spanish should have trebled their advantage before the break but Aitana Bonati, scorer against Costa Rica, shot at Sakala with the goal gaping as Zambia made it in just two goals down. Jorge Vilda made a triple substitution at the break as Putellas was rotated. But it was Bonmati who went closest to the next goal with a header that Sakara fumbled but did well to recover in time. The newly instated netminder next did well to keep out a rasper from Hermoso as Spain looked to kill the game with Barbra Banda forcing plenty of defensive jitters at the back. Eventually the third arrived and it was a combination of substitutes as Eva Navarro released Alba Redondo in behind, she coolly rounded Sakala and slotted home. Less than a minute later, Hermoso, on her century of caps, had more to celebrate when she tapped in after Redondo’s shot hit the post for her fiftieth, half-century of international goals. Despite initially being disallowed for offside, VAR gave it the green light and Hermoso later hit the crossbar as she chased a hattrick. Redondo made it five with minutes remaining as Spain came on clinical in the closing stages. With Group C now confirmed to have Spain and Japan qualify, that sets up a tantalising encounter between them on Monday whilst Costa Rica and Zambia will face off in a bid to finish on a high.Spain brush past Zambia to cruise into second round
Timeline
3. Teresa Abelleira | 9' | |
10. Jennifer Hermoso | 13' | |
37' | Barbra Banda Mary Wilombe | |
37' | Xiomara Mapepa Avell Chitundu | |
Ona Batlle Oihane Hernandez | 46' | |
Salma Paralluelo Eva Navarro | 46' | |
Alexia Putellas Alba Redondo | 46' | |
Aitana Bonmati Irene Guerrero | 61' | |
17. Alba Redondo | 69' | |
10. Jennifer Hermoso | 71' | |
76' | Evarine Katongo Ochumba Lubandji | |
76' | Lushomo Mweemba Vast Phiri | |
Mariona Caldentey Athenea del Castillo | 84' | |
17. Alba Redondo | 85' | |
90+10' | 13. Martha Tembo | |
90+1' | 7. Ochumba Lubandji |
Ground
Eden Park |
---|
Eden Park, Cricket Avenue, Kingsland, Albert-Eden, Auckland, 1021, New Zealand |
FULL TIME - Spain see it out 5-0, to book themselves into the last sixteen!
Redondo with her second strike makes it five!
Hermoso makes it 4! Her fiftieth strike for Spain!
One of the half time arrivals, Alba Redondo nips onto an astute pass, rounds Sakala and seals progress for Spain!
Flying save by Sakala denies Hermoso!
Irene Guerrero replaces Bonmati
Barbra Banda escapes from Irene Paredes and sears in behind only to have no support from players in white
Bonamti, unmarked again, heads at goal but despite fumbling initially, Sakala saves!
Triple Spanish substitutions over the interval there as Redondo, Hernandez and Navarro come on, Putellas among those to depart
SECOND HALF - Back underway in Auckland!
HALF TIME - Spain 2-0 up!
Bonmati should have made it three! Sakala in the way
SIX added minutes after those injuries
More bad news for Zambia as they are forced into early changes, Susan Banda among those who have to depart
Chance for Bonmati to make it three but she is off target
Zambia win a corner as they search for a route back into this match
Jennifer Hermoso doubles the Spanish lead! Heading home Putellas's cross
Spain in front! Teresa Abellira with a screamer into the top corner!
Returning Spanish star, Alexia Putellas, goes close early on but it's blocked behind, Spain starting on top
KICK OFF - Underway in Auckland!
Morning! Welcome to Group C of the Women's World Cup where Spain and Zambia clash this morning, 8:30am kick off