Spain secured a place in the World Cup’s last 16 as braces from record scorer Jenni Hermoso and Alba Redondo helped them defeat Zambia 5-0 at Eden Park in their second Group C match.
La Roja raced into a two-goal lead in Auckland, with Teresa Abelleira’s impressive strike putting them ahead in the ninth minute and Hermoso heading in four minutes later.
The advantage was subsequently extended by another two efforts in quick succession, Redondo finishing in the 69th minute and Hermoso firing home a minute later for her 50th international goal on her 100th appearance, before Redondo added her second with five minutes of normal time to go.
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The result sees both Spain, now top of the group, and Japan confirmed as through to the next round ahead of meeting each other in their final pool match next Monday, as Zambia and Costa Rica’s chances of making the last 16 ended.
It was a second 5-0 loss in as many games at the competition for World Cup debutants Zambia, who at 77th are the tournament’s lowest-ranked team, having suffered the same fate against Japan last Saturday.
Spain’s team included a return to the starting line-up for Alexia Putellas as she continued her comeback after an ACL injury, and the double Ballon d’Or winner was swiftly to the fore, seeing a shot deflect behind in the third minute.
Soon after Spain had the lead as Hermoso teed up Abelleira’s sweet strike from outside the box, and Hermoso promptly got on the scoresheet herself, nodding in at the back post from Putellas’ cross.
The game was then wrapped up midway through the second half as Redondo went around goalkeeper Eunice Sakala to slot home, and Hermoso swiftly made it 4-0 with a follow-up finish after Irene Guerrero’s shot hit the post, the effort being given after a VAR check for offside.
Lively Zambia forward Barbra Banda sent an effort off-target at the other end before the scoring was completed, via another VAR check, by Redondo, who was then denied a hat-trick in stoppage time by a good Sakala save.
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