1 v 3 
ZambiaVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 July 2023 | 8:00 am | Women's World Cup | 2022/23 |
Match Report
Zambia Record Historic First World Cup Win
History was made in Hamilton when Zambia won their first game in their first World Cup appearance. Lushomo Mweemba put them ahead in the third minute with an excellent goal. It was their first goal scored in a World Cup.
In the 31st minute Barbra Banda scored from the penalty spot. The goal was the 1000th goal scored in the World Cup. Costa Rica pulled a goal back in the 47th minute through Melissa Herrera. It was their first goal of this year’s World Cup. They tried hard to get an equaliser but couldn’t get that second goal.
Right at the end Racheal Kundananji got a third goal for Zambia.
Just three minutes had gone on the clock when Zambia broke the deadlock. A corner was swung in by Avell Chitundu and Mweemba finished to the net with a stunning strike.
Zambia then took control of the game with Barbra Banda a real threat. Although Zambia got into good positions they failed to create anything of note. That was until the half hour mark when Banda got into the box and was fouled by Katherine Alvarado.
Banda got back up and slotted home the penalty to double her side’s advantage. As half-time approached Costa Rica enjoyed possession and created a few chances. In the 41st minute Maria Coto’s effort came off the crossbar. Sheika Scott and Fabiola Villalobos had chances but couldn’t find the back of the net as they trailed by two goals at the break.
Costa Rica were a different proposition in the second half. Two minutes in and they pulled a goal back. Coto’s header wasn’t cleared, the ball fell to Herrera and she made no mistake.
In the 55th minute Zambia keeper Catherine Musonda appeared to foul Priscila Chinchilla in the area. The referee reviewed the incident but Scott had been offside when the attack started.
Herrera thought she had grabbed her second goal and the equaliser in the 68th minute but it was ruled out for offside. The Costa Rican’s continued to press. Del Campo had a chance in the 77th minute but Valeria del Campo hit her effort wide.
Zambia created opportunities near the end and got a third goal in stoppage time through Kundananji.
Timeline
| 3' | 3. Lushomo Mweemba | |
| 16. Katherine Alvarado | 6' | |
| 4. Mariana Benavides | 21' | |
| 5. Valeria del Campo | 23' | |
| 31' | 22. Barbra Banda | |
| 40' | 13. Martha Tembo | |
| 7. Melissa Herrera | 47' | |
| 65' | 22. Barbra Banda | |
| Gloriana Villalobos Maria Salas | 72' | |
| 74' | Evarine Katongo Mary Wilombe | |
| Sheika Scott Emilie Valenciano | 84' | |
| 85' | Avell Chitundu Xiomara Mapepa | |
| Katherine Alvarado Alexandra Pinell | 90' | |
| 90+3' | 9. Racheal Kundananji | |
| 90' | Hellen Chanda Hellen Mubanga |
Ground
| Waikato Stadium |
|---|
| Seddon Road, Maeroa, Hamilton, Waikato, 3204, New Zealand |
Deniese O'Flaherty
Deniese is a freelance sports journalist/broadcaster. She has worked for several local and national media outlets. GAA and soccer are her great loves and she also follows rugby league and snooker. She's a big supporter of her local clubs St. Mary's GAA Granard and Longford Town. She also follows Celtic, Liverpool and Leeds Rhinos. She presented and produced a popular sports podcast last year where she interviewed Ray Houghton, Chris Kamara and John Hartson. Deniese is currently Head of Communications for Boccia Ireland
Kundananji grabs a third goal for Zambia
Hellen Chanda is off
Hellen Mubanga is on
Katherine Alvarado is off
Alexandra Pinell is on
Avell Chitundu is off
Xiomara Mapepa is on
Sheika Scott goes off
Emilie Valenciano is on
Zambia win a corner
Zambia themselves are trying to create chances
Del Campo with a chance but hits it wide
Evarine Katongo goes off
Mary Wilombe is on
Gloriana Villalobos is off
Maria Salas is on
Melissa Herrera thinks she has levelled the game with a stunning strike but she was offside and therefore no goal.
Barbra Banda is booked
Villalobos brings a save out of the Zambia keeper Daniela Solera.
Costa Rica are a far better side this half
No penalty due to the fact Sheika Scott was offside when the attack started.
Referee urged to come across and have a look to see if it should be a penalty
Costa Rica believe they should have a penalty
Coto's header wasn't cleared, it fell to Melissa Herrera and she buried it. That's Costa Rica's first goal of this World Cup
Del Campo with a chance but hits it straight at the keeper. Zambia lead by two at the break
Barbra Banda gets in but Costa Rica are able to clear the danger
This is a lot better from Costa Rica
Fabiola Villalobos's header goes just over the crossbar.
Maria Coto's effort is off the crossbar. It comes back to Sheika Scott and it's cleared. Then Fabiola Villalobos tries her luck.
Martha Tembo is booked
Barbra Banda takes the free, it's cleared but only to Susan Banda, she takes a shot but it's well wide.
Kundananji is fouled and another free for Zambia.
Barbra Banda with the goal from the penalty spot. It's the 1000th Women's World Cup goal.
Katherine Alvarado the person to adjudged to have committed the foul. It's gone to VAR.
Barbra Banda tries to get a shot in but is fouled in the process. Penalty to Zambia.
It has been all Zambia so far in this game.
Valeria del Campo is booked. The third Costa Rican player so far
Barbra Banda with a perfect delivery from a free but Costa Rica have numbers back
Mariana Benavides is booked
Barbra Banda is causing problems and wins a free.
Barbra Banda with a ball into the box that causes some confusion. Kundananji's effort is weak
Zambia pressing now for a second goal
Barbra Banda gets in and it's deflected out for a Zambia corner
We've had no real chances since that goal
Costa Rica enjoying possession but can't find a way through
Katherine Alvarado receives an early booking
That was Zambia's first goal ever in a World Cup. History
Lushomo Mweemba with the goal and what a goal it was. A corner from Avell Chitundu
Zambia with an early corner