A moment of magic from teenager Paralluelo in extra time saw Spain advance to the final four of the Women’s World Cup.

Spain beat the Netherlands 2-1 to advance to the World Cup Semi Finals for the first time ever tonight as they knocked out the 2019 beaten finalists in Wellington.

The winner came eight minutes from full time in extra time, which the Dutch had forced with an injury time equaliser in regulation. 

The Netherlands head home unable to repeat their run to the final of four years ago, whilst Spain now look forward to a final four tie against either Japan or Sweden on Tuesday.

The first half was run by Spain, from the opening few minutes they dominated the ball with Esther Gonzales almost giving her side an early lead but could not get her effort on goal.

The story coming into this tie was the absence of stars on both sides. The Netherlands were expected to do well at this tournament but the absence of star striker Vivianne Miedema, along with the suspension of Van De Donk in the midfield was a potential advantage for Spain but they were without their own two time Ballon D’Or winner Alexia Putellas, but unlike the Dutch duo, Putellas was fit enough for the Spanish bench. 

Redondo came closest for taking the lead for Spain just before the 20th minute mark, the Spanish striker rose highest to head towards goal but Dutch keeper Van Domselaar produced an incredible finger tip save onto the post, the ball came back to Redondo who could only bundle her rebound back off the woodwork, to the relief of the Dutch defence. 

Minutes before half time Spain thought they had taken the lead. A cross towards the back post found Redondo who laid it back across goal on a plate to her strike partner Gonzalez who tapped home but referee Stephanie Frappart consulted VAR and quickly overturned the goal for offside. 

The half time break did not give the Netherlands any relief as the second began in the same fashion. Their strike partnership was getting chances but just could not find the lead, Gonzalez this time with a phenomenal effort from distance that just went wide of the post. The longer this game stayed scoreless, the more the Dutch would feel confident of nicking a goal or getting through this tie and to a dream final four. 

Just after the hour mark, the Dutch had their chance, or did they. With Beerensteyn through on goal Spanish defender Paredes was forced into a last ditch challenge that saw the referee point to the spot. Controversially though, ref Frappart was advised to go to VAR and eventually overturned her original decision, so the game went on. 

VAR was once again the story with just ten minutes to go, once again against the Netherlands as Van Der Gragt appeared to block the ball with her outstretched hand, and after going back to the screen it was confirmed and the spot kick was given. 

Caldentey stepped up to the spot slowly and with her right foot smashed low to the left and to her relief it found the back of the net off the woodwork to send La Roja wild. 

Beerensteyn did have a chance just four minutes from time to level the game but on the Dutch counter attack, the forward produced a tame effort that keeper Coll dealt with easily. 

The Dutch though, refused to lie down, and just two minutes into the twelve added on, Stepfanie Van Der Gragt who conceded the penalty earlier produced a moment of absolute magic as she saw her right footed effort from outside the area sail past Coll into the far corner. The Dutch defender who is retiring after this tournament, refused to let her career end there and then. 

Both teams let the minutes play out knowing that thirty more would await them as the first Quarter Final went to extra time. The first 15 minutes were not played at a great intensity as the fatigue and cramp began to set in. This game needed just one moment of quality to avoid penalties, and there were a lot of players on this pitch capable of producing those

Up stepped the 19 year old Barcelona winger Salma Paralluelo, picking the ball up deep and running at the Dutch backline before producing a wonderful left footed shot to the far corner, the moment of magic La Roja were looking for to give them a chance of advancing to the final four. 

Spain looked more likely to get a third in this game than the Dutch were getting an equaliser as the time ticked down. The Netherlands were clearly exhausted after a tough game. 

With the Final Whistle, Spain march on and watch on in a few hours time to discover their Semi Final opponents, who they will face in Auckland on Tuesday with a place in the World Cup Final up for grabs.

Second half strikes from Risa Shimizu and Hinata Miyazawa eventually got Japan past a stubborn Norway team in Wellington as the 2011 World Champions booked a space in the final eight.

Japan took the game to Norway from the first whistle, racking up four corners and lots of last-ditch blocks and challenges in the opening twelve minutes.

Although they hadn’t tested Aurora Mikalsen in goal, with fifteen minutes elapsed, the pressure told.

Hinata Miyazawa, scorer supremo so far at this World Cup with four, advanced and had a go which took a significant nick off the outstretched leg of defender, Ingrid Syrstad Engen, wrongfooting Mikalsen in goal who was left sprawling at thin air as Japan hit the front once more.

However, not reading the script, Norway hauled themselves back on level terms within five minutes and it was an excellently executed move.

From Mikalsen’s goal kick, the ball was well won and recycled wide to Vilde Boe Risa on the right.  Her cross was a thing of beauty and matching it was the finish applied by Chelsea’s Guro Reiten, directing a bullet header past Ayaka Yamashita as Japan’s streak of clean sheets abruptly ended.

That equaliser prompted a more settled pace to the match, Japan attacking with gusto but up against an exceptionally well-drilled Norway team who also posed problems when attacking themselves.

It was forty minutes that were far from cagey but also not full of many clearcut chances, both keepers generally unworked.

The right flank was kept busy by the lively running of Risa Shimizu who sliced an effort high but engineered the opportunity by staying wide and arriving into the box unnoticed as Japan sought the key to pick the stubborn lock Norway posed.

Buoyed by bouncing back so quickly though, Norway’s resilience was on full display and far from under the pump, the sides couldn’t be split, so went in at 1-1.

Not long into the second half however and Japan had their noses back ahead, Tanaka conducting a flowing move which led to penalty box pinball.

Boe Risa then unwisely attempted to pass clear which fell to the feet of an alert Shimizu who stabbed home a crucial strike, her third for her country, would the West Ham woman be the matchwinner?

As proceedings ticked along, Japan controlling the ball, talk turned to whether Norway would deploy star forward, Ada Hegerberg, an injury doubt before, from the bench but more worryingly for them was Japan successfully stifling any attempts to build attacks.

The Japanese went close to giving themselves breathing room but miscued a final touch or pass on multiple occasions as Hegerberg entered the fray with fifteen minutes to make her mark.

Another substitute nearly was the hero though, Karina Saevik hooking a fiery shot across the post, as Yamashita was given something to think about.

Then a goal did come, for Japan, the counterattack creating it as youngster Aoba Fujino provided the perfect pass through a scattered Norwegian defence where Miyazawa had scampered straight through the vacated space and finished with the fantastic form of a player with five goals now in four World Cup outings.

Going into injury time, Yamashita pulled off a stunning, off-the-line save to stop Norway causing any late jitters, neatly encapsulating their cool heads all the way throughout the tournament.

Spirited and physical, Norway put up a hell of a fight but bow out to a Japan side, hitting unstoppable form at the peak time.

Quarterfinal opposition will soon be known either in the form of the U.S.A or Sweden, who meet tomorrow.   Japan, you feel, will relish whatever challenge any team throws at them.

Whether the same could be said for whoever has to face them, remains to be seen. 

Thembi Kgatlana’s injury-time goal means South Africa shock Italy with a 3-2 win to progress to the round of sixteen against the Netherlands.

Hildah Magaia and an own goal by Benedetta Orsi gave South Africa the three goals they needed to progress to the knockout stage while winning their first-ever world cup game.

The game began in scrappy fashion in the chilly night air in Wellington, with neither side able to sustain a meaningful spell of possession in the opening ten minutes.

The first talking point of the game was a big one when Chiara Beccari progressed towards the box only to be brought down by Karabo Dhlamini, which resulted in the referee pointing to the spot.

The was no VAR check on whether the tackle happened within the box even though it was very close.

Arianna Caruso stepped up to take the penalty and assuredly fired the ball past Kaylin Swart to put Italy ahead.

After the goal Italy seemed content to sit back knowing that a draw would likely be enough, and the game was almost level when a delivery into the box was cleared only as far as Robyn Moodaly who cut across a shot, striking the upright.

The equaliser would come for South Africa in bizarre circumstances when pressure from Thembi Kgatlana put Benedetta Orsi into a panic and caused the Italian centre-half to fire an unsighted pass back to Durante, rolling straight past the keeper into the net.

Heavy rain lashed down as the remaining minutes of the first half were played and Italy responded almost immediately when Beccari’s header struck the post minutes after losing their lead. 

The second half began scrappier than the first half and neither side could get a foothold in the game but Italy were the sloppier of the two sides in possession, conceding possession far too easily and allowing South Africa to get chances to put themselves ahead.

South Africa did just this in the sixty-seventh minute when Kgatlana slid a lovely reverse pass into the path of Hildah Magaia whose composed finish changed the outcome of Group G and would send the Rainbow nation through to the round of sixteen.

Italy were level when Cristiana Girelli’s header came off the hip of Caruso and after a lengthy VAR check, the sides were level.

But it would be South Africa that would claim the final goal of the game in injury time when Magaia found Kgatlana in the box, calmly passing the ball past the defender and keeper to secure passage to the knockout stage.

2011 Women’s World Cup Winners Japan produced a scintillating display to blow away Spain in Wellington with three breakaway goals giving the Asian’s a 4-0 win to secure top spot in Group C.

Both sides came into the game knowing they would be in the knockout stages, and with results in Group A confirmed both sides knew a victory would reward them with a last 16 contest with Norway, ranked 11th in the world whereas a defeat would mean facing surprise Group A winners Switzerland, ranked 19th.

At times it seemed as if Spain were okay to sacrifice this particular battle to increase their chances of progression past the second round. Playing the ball around in the opening half, they were caught three times on blistering breaks by the Japanese.

While Spain enjoyed almost all of the possession in the opening stages of the game it was the Japanese who struck first on twelve minutes. A quick break down the left wing saw Jun Endo play a fabulous pass around the back of the Spanish defence. Miyazawa’s first touch was sublime and took the ball into the Spanish box where she simply passed the ball to the back of the net past Rodriquez.

Approaching the half hour mark Japan would make it two. Another quick break after an age of Spanish possession would see the lethal forward duo combine again as Miyazawa fed Riko Ueki for the veteran to cooly finish and double the Asian’s advantage.

The game appeared to be wrapped up just before half time when the impressive Miyazawa made it three. Another quick break found the speedster clear into the Spanish penalty area and she made no mistake, leaving Rodriiquez with no chance and the Spanish hopes of winning the group hanging by a thread.

Japan withdrew their two goal hero at the break, with one eye on the potential last 16 clash with Norway to come later this week and Spain started to enjoy even more possession through the second period.

The Japanese seemed content to allow the Iberians to knock the ball around without really threatening the goal, the Spanish almost seem content in the outcome of the encounter with the prize of facing Switzerland, ranked 19th, rather than facing 11th placed Norway.

Japan finished the job all too easy as Tanaka took the ball from a throw in on half way and cut through the Spanish defence before off loading into the top corner with a special left footed effort from 12 yards to complete the rout.

The result sees Japan face Norway on Saturday morning (Irish time) in the same venue, Wellington, while Spain will encounter Switzerland in Auckland a few hours earlier.

Sweden booked their place in the Round of 16 after beating Italy 5-0 this morning in Wellington. The group favourites started this game slowly and uncharacteristically, failing to register a shot on target until the 25^th minute, but a late flurry in the first half saw the 2019 Semi-Finalists score three goals in seven minutes. 

Italy made a bright start to this game, pinning the Swedes back for much of the opening 20 minutes, creating numerous chances. The one change Italy made to their starting line-up that faced Argentina on Monday was the inclusion of Sofia Cantore in place of Valentina Giacinti, and Cantore looked dangerous from the off. The winger had a shot on target saved inside the opening two minutes, driving down her right wing before powering a shot at Zecira Musovic, who gathered the ball at the second time of asking. 

Italy looked dangerous in the opening quarter of the game, causing all sorts of chaos for the Swedish defence and goalkeeper Zecira Musovic. Cantore again looked dangerous, driving down her wing before powering a shot towards goal. What should have been a comfortable save for Musovic was then spilled into the path of an oncoming Lucia Di Guglielmo, whose effort was then dragged wide. Musovic could breathe a sigh of relief.

For much of the first half, Sweden were unable to get into their usual rhythm thanks to the strength and determination of the Italian defence. For large swathes of the opening 45 minutes Sweden were unable to make simple passes, and were unable to get the ball up the pitch to the dangerous Stina Blackstenius. 

Sweden would kick into life in the 28^th minute, as they began to benefit from a tiring defence, they were now able to get into their usual rhythm. An excellent run down the right wing from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd earned Sweden a corner following a block from Italian left-back Lisa Boattin. The resulting corner was swung in dangerously by Jonna Andersson and was met by the head of centre-back Amanda Ilestedt, who notched it beyond the goalkeeper to score her second headed goal in as many games in this World Cup. Ilestedt produced a wonderfully timed jump to beat the out-coming goalkeeper Francesca Durante and the scrambling Italian defence. Very much against the run of play, Sweden found themselves ahead in this game. 

They would go on to double their lead just five minutes later from another corner. This time, Andersson’s cross would elude those at the front post, making its way to Fridolina Rolfo at the back post, who kneed the ball goal-wards where it crossed the white line, doubling Sweden’s advantage in this game. Two wonderful corners from Andersson caused havoc in the Italian penalty area, Sweden ruthlessly converting.

The Swedes smelt blood, and went on to score just two minutes later, on the brink of Half Time. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was played in down the right-hand side by a wonderful pass from Kosovare Asllani. Kaneryd played a dangerous ball across the box, where it was initially neutralized. However, the Italians scrambled to clear the ball and failed to deal with the danger. The ball broke in the direction of Stina Blackstenius, and Italy’s Elena Linari slid in to try and clear the ball away, however she then hit the ball against Blackstenius, with it then rebounding into the back of the Italian net.

Sweden were ruthless at the end of the first half, and really put the game to bed. However, they wouldn’t stop there. Just four minutes into the second half, another dangerous corner from Andersson found the head of Ilestedt at the front post, the centre-back timing her jump to perfection against two Italian defenders, before powering her header into the top-right-hand corner. Durante opted not to come to try and claim the ball, but could only watch as the ball fired past her in the blink of an eye. Ilestedt was now level with Brazil’s Ary Borges at the top of the Golden Boot table.

A late solo goal from Rebecka Blomqvist in the 95^th minute would add to Italy’s woe’s, the substitute running 40 yards with the ball one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Blomqvist showed great composure to calmly slot the ball past Durante, and Sweden got their fifth!

After blitzing the Italians either side of Half Time, Sweden would go on to control the rest of the game and see out the win. It was a shame for Italy, after starting so confidently, but Sweden showed their class and showed why they are one of the favourites for this year’s tournament. As soon as they got their first goal, the win looked guaranteed. Sweden’s set pieces were the killer for Italy, who couldn’t handle the dangerous crosses and the physicality in the air. 

Full Time in Wellington. Sweden 5-0 Italy

With top spot on the mind for both, the two favourites meet to see who can take one step closer to qualification.

This is arguably the most eye-catching game of the group stage so far, a repeat of the 2019 Final, two strong teams hoping to claim top spot in Group E, the USWNT are favourites to win this one, with the Opta supercomputer giving them a 56.7% chance of a win, the Netherlands have just a 19% chance of pulling off a win.

Goal difference separates the two in the group standings, with the USA just ahead, however the Netherlands will pose a threat to prevent the US being one step away from group winners.

The Netherlands are winless in their last nine meetings with the USA in all competitions, losing eight times and conceding at least two goals in each of those games, it also will be the second time the USA and the Netherlands have met at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the last time was in the 2019 final, which saw the USA run out 2-0 winners, the US unbeaten since 1996 against the Oranje Machine.

Their opening group games both brought wins, against a Portugal lacking threat up top, the Orange Machine struggled to find the net just hitting a singular goal thanks to VAR overruling an offside call.

Thwarted by some fine stops by the Vietnam goalkeeper, the US still showed their quality, notably Sophia Smith, her two goals inspired them in the tie, setting up a third to put the game beyond doubt late in the second half.

With 90 minutes now in the tank for both sides, they will have learnt a lot from their respective opening ties, the US have a star studded team and can spring Rose Lavelle, Megan Rapinoe and Allyah Thompson from the bench to add to their attacking threat.

Stephanie van der Gragt was the match winner for the Netherland’s last time out but was equally as important at the back in ensuring Portugal had limited chances and would not score, but she will be tested against the US in the early hours of the morning, as will Daphne van Domselaar, Sherida Spitse and Dominique Janssen.

Both managers will be expected to name unchanged line-ups for the tie, neither side looked to have picked up injuries and the managers normally go for consistency when choosing team selection, it is highly doubtful we will see huge change.

The Philippines produced an outstanding battling performance to secure their first ever win at a World Cup with a fine first half header from Sarina Bolden proving to be the decisive strike.

The hosts had been the strongest side through the game and even had the ball in the net from the impressive Jacqui Hand but it was ruled out for offside as Group A was blown wide open.

New Zealand dominated the opening exchanges as CJ Bott and Indiah Paige Riley combined well to create plenty of opportunities down the right hand side but no one was able to get a decent effort on goal at the end of those moves with some last ditch challenges from the Philippines defenders enough to keep the Football Ferns at bay.

After soaking up an immense amount of pressure it was a set piece that New Zealand didn’t quite clear which was forced back into the penalty area. Norwegian born Sara Eggsvick and former Matilda’s cap Angela Beard produced a training ground set piece delivery and the impressive Eggsvick recovered the clearance to get the ball back into the box for Zarina Bolden, a California born former USA U23 international, to force the ball into the net past the scrambling attempts of Kiwi keeper Victoria Esson.

The Kiwis did manage to find an opportunity to equalise with a deep cross from Ali Riley finding Jacqui Hand unmarked at the back post but her volleyed effort sliced off the side of her boot and ended up back at the feet of Riley who couldn’t find a team mate with her second cross.

Katrina Guillou almost doubled the lead against the run of play for the tournament debutants as her effort from just outside the box fell was deflected wide of the post to leave her side with just the one goal advantage going into the break.

New Zealand rang the changes at the break as they introduced veterans Olivia Chance and Annalie Longo and Chance in particular made an almost instant impact. 

Hannah Wilkinson had ample chances to equalise with service almost entirely directed at her from her wide team mates. CJ Bott, Hand and Chance found the striker but she was unable to hit the target and beat the impressive Olivia McDaniel.

On the hour mark, Jacqui Hand who was outstanding all evening for New Zealand almost got the ball in the net when she got on the end of a superb pass from Chance but her rocket of an effort came back off the bottom of the post and into the grateful arms of McDaniel. 

Minutes later she had the ball in the back of the net, but her fabulous looping header over McDaniel into the top corner was ruled out due to an offside decision in the buildup as the crowd let the match officials know their thoughts on the conclusion.

The game became chaotic as New Zealand piled on the pressure but the Football Ferns weren’t able to find a way past McDaniel. 

With a couple of minutes left on the clock substitute Grace Jale got on the end of a cross and looked to have applied the finish but the US born Philippines keeper got her left hand down to turn the ball around the post and keep her side in the squad. 

The Philippines also had a goal ruled out for offside in the closing stages, a much more clear cut decision from the match officials but there will be little care for that within the Asian side’s supporters as they celebrate their first ever goal and victory at a FIFA Women’s World Cup win ahead of their do or die clash with Norway.

The hosts face a trip to Dunedin to face Switzerland with their qualification for the knock out stages at stake.

Amanda Ilestedt proved Sweden’s hero, the defender dramatically coming up with a ninetieth minute winning header to see off a brave South Africa side.

Bongeka Gamede started strongly for South Africa, making her physical presence known with a few well-timed early interventions, one of which enabled her to play in Jermaine Seosposenwe whose cross didn’t threaten.

Sweden, for all of their early control and possession, hadn’t tested Kaylan Swart in goal as Banyana Banyana defended resolutely, Swart only called upon to punch Sweden’s first corner clear.

Indeed, they came closest to scoring in the sixteenth minute, Refiloe Jane firing in an audacious lobbed effort after Zerica Musovic was spied off her goal line, the chip landing not far away on the roof of the net.

A set piece led to Sweden’s first effort on target, Kosovare Asslani with a pearoller that was easy for swart as the world number three ranked side struggled to break down South Africa.

Poor final ball delivery was desperately undermining Sweden as they constantly got into the final third but they nearly conceded on the counterattack, Seosposenwe sprinting in but firing straight at Musovic.

Themi Kgatalana, the midfielder who scored South Africa’s only goal at the 2019 tournament, was proving a thorn in Sweden’s side, her pace keeping the defence occupied as half time loomed, Banyana Banyana doing excellently.

Before then though, Amanda Ilestedt powered a header high, Elin Rubensson curled wide and Kgatalana spurned a clear opening, South Africa with a two on one but Kgatalana went herself and was crowded out.

Three minutes into the second half and she atoned in style, her run down the left untracked as she tested Musovic who could only palm the rebound out onto the onrushing Hildah Magaia, scoring South Africa’s second ever World Cup goal to give them an astonishing lead.

Sweden continued to toil as Kgatalana and co kept them wary at the back. 

But in the sixty-fifth minute, the Swedes were given a helping hand as a dangerous cross eluded all apart from South Africa right back, Lebogang Ramalape, who the ball took an unfortunate nick off to fly into the net for a bizarre leveller, the first time in this World Cup that both teams have scored in the same match!

Manager Peter Gerhardsson made a triple substitution for the final twenty minutes, but their usual, free-flowing fluidity kept eluding them as South Africa doggedly defended.

Yet it took until the last gasp stages to add a second.  With experienced forward Caroline Seger in for her fifth World Cup appearance, an umpteenth corner was swung in.

Sweden’s get out of jail card well used up to see off an impressive Banyana Banyana performance!

This time, Ilestedt timed her header to perfection, the connection sweet and soaring into the net to cue contrasting emotions.

South Africa face another tough test next, playing Argentina in Dunedin on Friday.  Sweden’s second game is a day later, without any travelling, against Italy in Wellington.

Three goals in a flurry of six first half minutes proved decisive as Spain’s domination bore fruit to make a confident, winning start to their World Cup campaign.

An own goal from Valeria del Campo followed quickly by a fine Aitana Bonmati strike and an Esther Rodriguez close-range finish was enough for Spain to see off a courageous Costa Rican team.

The headlines in team news were that star players, Alexia Putellas and Raquel Rodriguez respectively, had been named only as substitutes as both teams commenced their World Cups.

Spain started strongly, confident in possession as they monopolised the ball, yet their first opportunity went wide from the boot of Aitana Bonmati.

Ten minutes in and Esther Gonzalez attacked a cross with an audacious backheel attempt that spun just wide of the far post.

Costa Rica then demonstrated their own attacking threat as from the goal kick, Melissa Herrera found herself running through on goal, unopposed but with Maria Rodriguez standing tall in goal, Herrera poked her shot too far left.

For all their tiki-taka style of play, it was from a set piece that Spain next nearly scored from, captain Ivana Andres on target with her header which was matched by a flying save by Daniela Solera.

Just past the twenty-minute mark and Spain’s incessant pressure bore fruit.

First, Bonmati created the breakthrough, a wonderful, flicked pass finding Jennifer Hermoso in space, her cross from the left was a good one, deep into the corridor of uncertainty where it was poked home by the unfortunate Costa Rican defender, Valeria del Campo.

Like buses, a second strike then came along shortly afterwards.  This time Bonmati turned scorer as she received the ball on the edge of the box and let fly with a left-footed curler which soared superbly past a stranded Solera into the corner.

With their confidence now firmly up, Esther Gonzalez saw her header saved by Solera but moments later she beat the goalkeeper as she reacted first to a rebound from Hermoso’s shot which came off the crossbar but landed kindly for Gonzalez to turn in.

After half an hour, Spain had a golden chance to make it four when they won a soft penalty for a foul on Olga Carmona.  Up stepped Hermoso but she saw her spot kick well saved by Solera, keeping it at 3-0.

Forty minutes in and Costa Rica nearly pounced on casual control from Rodriguez as Gloriana Villalobas ferociously pressed and made the keeper sweat on her clearance.

Gonzalez headed high again but Spain went in at half time, three goals to the good.

Five minutes into the half and a fourth nearly did arrive as Carmona was played in on the left of a rapid counterattack, her shot clipping the crossbar on its way over.

Solera stood tall again moments later to deny Carmona when she drove a fierce volley accurately in on goal, the keeper pulling out another fine save.

Costa Rica won their first corner after the hour mark and although nothing came of it, it underlined a significant second half improvement as Spain struggled to break them down as openly as they had in the first forty-five minutes.

Sixteen-year-old Sheika Scott entered the fray for Amelia Valverde’s side, but a starter nearly made the next moment of magic, Carmona, wanting a goal, struck well, but narrowly high, from range.

Jorge Vilda introduced Putellas from the bench for the final twelve minutes and she showed her class, going close to a goal only for Solera to smother the shot. 

It doesn’t get any easier for Costa Rica as next they are up against 2011 World Cup champions, Japan, in Dunedin Stadium.

Spain meanwhile travel to Auckland to face Zambia next, with both matches on Wednesday morning and both vital to these side’s hopes for the tournament.