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Spain condemn Zambia to second 5-0 loss, organising a decider in opposition to Japan for first place in Group C.
Spain have underlined their credentials as pre-tournament favourites after turning into one of many first groups to seal qualification for the Ladies’s World Cup knockouts with a 5-0 win over Zambia of their second Group C encounter.
Teresa Abelleira opened the scoring on Wednesday whereas Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo each scored twice to provide Spain their second victory, which additionally assured Japan of last-16 qualification after they beat Costa Rica 2-0 earlier within the day.
With the vigorous Barbra Banda main their assault, Zambia had the vast majority of the gang of virtually 21,000 behind them however struggled to create possibilities.
Abelleira settled any opening nerves with the quickest aim of the match when she picked up the ball after an intricate passing transfer within the ninth minute and fired a shot from lengthy vary that rocketed into the highest nook.
4 minutes later, Hermoso marked her a centesimal look for Spain with a simple header on the far submit after Zambia didn’t defend a cross from Alexia Putellas.
Spain continued to dominate after half-time though Zambia goalkeeper Eunice Sakala made a number of saves. However she was left stranded when Redondo was put via on aim because the ahead rounded the 21-year-old keeper to make it 3-0.
Hermoso then grabbed her second – and fiftieth for Spain – when she pounced on a rebound off the submit to fireside residence, a aim awarded after some confusion over the referee’s preliminary announcement that it was dominated out for offside.
Redondo then beat the offside entice late within the recreation to attain Spain’s fifth, additionally awarded after a VAR evaluation after the assistant referee flagged offside.
Each Spain and Japan have six factors and can play one another on Monday for the highest spot within the group.
Nevertheless, Spain’s margin of victory means they now have a greater aim distinction and so simply want a draw to complete in first place when the edges conflict in Wellington.
Zambia are already condemned to a first-round exit of their debut look on the World Cup after a second successive 5-0 hammering.
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