Spain are through to the last 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in style as they thrashed debutants Zambia 5-0.
Zambia with the return of their Captain, Bardra Banda, were hoping to go shoulder against a star studded Spain team.
However, Spain started the game brightly, scoring their first two goals after just 13 minutes through Abelleira and Hermoso, but Zambia grew into the game to make things difficult for them.
Banda was a thorn in the flesh of the Spain defence towards the end of the first half as Spain defender Paredes brought down the Zambia captain but the referee awarded a corner kick
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Spain found their rhythm again in the second half though, with substitute Redondo coming on to coolly round Zambia goalkeeper and slot it into the empty net before Hermoso got her second of the game, and her 50th Spain goal, by turning in the rebound after Navarro hit the post.
Redondo then got her second late on to round off the scoring.
Spain have now won both of their games at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, having won just one of their first seven matches the tournament.
Today’s victory over Zambia was their biggest win in the competition.
Zambia have become the fourth side to concede 10+ goals in their opening two FIFA Women’s World Cup matches, and the third to concede 5+ in both games after Mexico in 1999 and Ecuador in 2015.
Jenni Hermoso had both scored and assisted a goal for Spain in the opening 13 minutes of this game – it’s the earliest any player has done so in a single FIFA Women’s World Cup match in the 21st century.
Zambia will only play for pride as they have been eliminated from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in their debut.