- Aisling Hannon
- Wed, Jul 26 2023
Spain breezed through to the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup after snatching a comfortable 5-0 victory over Zambia in Auckland on Monday.
A brace from both Jenni Hermoso and Alba Redondo, alongside an early Teresa Abelleira strike gifted Spain all three points in a rather calm and stress-free fixture.
The game was probably already put to bed before it started, what with Zambia being the lowest ranked team in the competition and Spain notching 24 goals in their last five games alone.
Japan had grabbed a 2-0 win over Costa Rica earlier in the day, so Spain just needed to get the three points and a decent number of goals to go top of Group C – and they did it with ease.
It took just nine minutes for the first goal to fly in after a dominant opening, and it was Abelleira who hit a powerful strike to take the lead.
Hermoso, who was energetic and alert throughout the entire game, produced the pass to her team-mate who took a good touch from 25 yards out and hit the ball cleanly into the back of the net.
Then, just four minutes later, the lead was doubled, and it was Hermoso herself that claimed it on her 100th international appearance.
Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas provided the assist after lofting the ball in towards goal following a fantastic run on the left. Hermoso was ready and waiting to head it in at the far post.
No doubt Zambia were trying, despite the Spanish domination. They claimed small pockets of possession throughout the half and striker Barbra Banda certainly caused some concern for their opponents.
Their best attack came in the 26th minute when Rachael Kundananji ran freely down the left before driving into the middle and making the pass left to Banda, but her shot was fired wide and Spain took back control from there.
The tempo of the game slowed somewhat, and this continued into the second-half despite some changes for both sides.
Zambia had the earlier chances, with Banda again making herself known to the Spanish defence by crafting a powerful and quick run on the break, but Evarine Katongo could not control the pass and Spain swiftly recovered.
The third goal came with twenty minutes left on the clock when substitute Redondo slipped the ball past Eunice Sakala in goal, who otherwise did well to defend the countless shots from Spain throughout the remainder of the half.
A well-timed run from Eva Navarro on the wing was followed by a brilliant ball in to gift Redondo with the opportunity to get around the goalkeeper and tap it into the net.
The remaining two Spanish goals took a while to confirm, with VAR intervening in both.
The first was claimed by Hermoso, who followed-up with a humble tap-in after Redondo hit the post. It was the latter who was being checked for offside after appearing to run through the middle a little early from a Mariona Caldentey pass.
After a lengthy review, the referee ruled it out before quickly changing and giving the goal in what was both confusing and disappointing for the Zambian team.
With four minutes of normal time to go, Spain grabbed their fifth and again, VAR took time in reviewing what was another offside call.
Navarro had drifted in a fantastic ball from the left to meet Redondo in the middle, who then took control, got the ball down, moved around the defence and slotted it calmly past Sakala. The final decision was made, and Redondo was deemed just onside.
Some weary challenges and tired passes followed from Zambia, but they couldn’t claim their first goal of the tournament and turn their attention towards Costa Rica on Monday, with both sides leaving for home after said game.
Japan and Spain will also challenge each other on Monday in a bid to claim the top spot in Group C.
Spain Women: Misa; Ivana Andres, Ona Batlle (Oihane Hernandez 46), Olga Carmona, Irene Paredes; Teresa Abelleira, Aitana Bonmati (Irene Guerrero 61), Mariona(Athenea Del Castillo 83); Jennifer Hermoso, Salma Paralluelo (Eva Navarro 46), Alexia Putellas (Alba Redondo 46).
Subs not used: Enith Salon, Cata Coll, Laia Codina, Rocio Galvez, Maria Perez, Claudia Zornoza, Esther González.
Booked: None.
Zambia Women: Eunice Sakala; Margaret Belemu, Agness Musesa, Lushomo Mweemba (Vast Phiri 77), Martha Tembo; Susan Banda (Mary Wilombe 37), EvarineKatongo (Ochumba Lubandji 77), Ireen Lungu, Siomala Mapepa (Avell Chitundu 37); Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji.
Subs not used: Catherine Musonda, Hazel Nali, Esther Banda, Mary Mulenga, Judith Soko, Grace Chanda, Hellen Chanda, Hellen Mubanga.
Booked: Ochumba Lubandji (90).
Referee: Hyun-Jin Oh
Attendance: 20,983
extratime.com Player of the Match: Jenni Hermoso (Spain)
