The teams of Spain and Japan are the first to qualify for the Round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. This became a fact after the emphatic victory of the Spain women’s national football team with 5-0 over Zambia in a match of group C, which was played in Oakland.
The Spanish players pressed their opponent right from the start and logically scored two early goals. Already in the 9th minute, Teresa Abelleira Duenas opened the scoring with a long shot after their multi-way combination and an assist from Jennifer Hermoso. Just four minutes later, it was Jennifer Hermoso who materialized the
Alexia Putellas superb cross. In the 38th minute, Jennifer Hermoso sent the ball into the net again, but with the flag raised for an offside.
In the 69th minute, the Spanish women still managed to score a third goal. Eva Maria Navarro then played a through ball to Alba Maria Redondo Ferrer, who rounded the Zambian goalkeeper Eunice Sakala and headed into an empty net. Two minutes later, Jennifer Hermoso was still on target for the second time in the game through a stoppage time after Irene Guerrero’s shot hit the post. Offside was initially flagged, but VAR still conceded the goal, which is Jennifer Hermoso’s 50th in her 100th game for the team. In the 85th minute, Alba Maria Redondo Ferrer also scored her second goal, again with the help of VAR. Then the reserve scored after another assist from Eva Maria Navarro, and the video system overturned the adjudged ambush, which shaped the final score.
After their most convincing win at the Women’s World Cup, Spain lead the group with a total of 6 points. Japan has the same asset, but with one less goal scored. The two teams are now assured of World Cup qualification, with their final group game on Monday set to determine who will finish top in a head-to-head clash. Zambia, on the other hand, suffered a second consecutive loss with 0-5 after that of the Japanese women and is at the bottom of the group. Costa Rica is also without an asset, but with a better goal difference.
