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Spain have joined Japan as the primary groups by to the Ladies’s World Cup knockout rounds after La Roja defeated Zambia 5-0 in Auckland.
On her a centesimal look for Spain, Jenni Hermoso grabbed a double, as did fellow ahead Alba Redondo.
Teresa Abelleira additionally fired house a ninth-minute thunderbolt which can contend for purpose of the match, struck powerfully into the highest nook from 25 metres.
The competition was over inside quarter-hour when Hermoso was left free to nod house Alexia Putellas’ nook.
Redondo rounded goalkeeper Eunice Sakala for a 3rd after the break earlier than Hermoso doubled up, scoring her fiftieth worldwide purpose in humorous circumstances.
The purpose was initially flagged for offside, and after a VAR assessment, South Korean referee Hyeon-jeong Oh confirmed that call, earlier than correcting herself to lock in Hermoso’s double.
Redondo accomplished the rout, ending Eva Navarro’s nice cross as fulltime neared.
On present type Spain loom as doable World Cup winners, boasting the lion’s share of possession and 3 times the finished passes of Zambia.
Coach Jorge Vilda was additionally capable of give Putellas her first begin in New Zealand, withdrawing the famous person at halftime.
The end result, mixed with Japan’s 2-0 win over Costa Rica earlier on Wednesday, settles Group C with the 2 heavyweights progressing with six factors.
Spain and Japan will meet in Wellington on Monday for high spot, with Spain’s superior purpose distinction which means Jorge Vilda’s facet could make do with a draw.
Zambia, first-time World Cup attendees, and Costa Rica, on their second outing, are out – however each have an opportunity for a first-ever match win after they meet in Hamilton.
Two early concessions meant the underdog Africans had been by no means within the contest, however they did have possibilities to attain.
Abelleira’s strike – the earliest purpose in any match to this point in Australia-New Zealand – led to an open match, with Zambian ahead Barbra Banda providing a difficult outlet on counter-attacks.
Nonetheless, Zambia suffered additional poor fortune, dropping Susan Bamba and Lushomo Mweemba to accidents both facet of the break.
The Copper Queens had been already with out their high two goalkeepers, with Hazel Nali struck by a severe knee harm simply previous to the match and Catherine Musonda despatched off of their 5-0 loss to Japan.
Of their place, 21-year-old Sakala did exceptionally properly, denying each Hermoso and Redondo their hat-tricks amongst 9 saves at Eden Park.
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