Zambia’s dreams of reaching the knockout rounds of the 2023 Women’s World Cup are over after they suffered a 5-0 loss to Spain in their second Group C clash in Auckland on Wednesday.
The Copper Queens and Costa Rica are the first teams to be knocked out of the competition having picked up no points from their first two games. Japan and Spain have six points at the top of the pool and are guaranteed a place in the round of 16.
It was another tough outing for Zambia, who were beaten 5-0 in their opener by Japan and again could not cope with the skill and movement of their opponents in front of a modest 20 983 crowd at Eden Park.
They came into the tournament with high hopes of springing a surprise, but in truth have been thoroughly outplayed in their two games and will play for pride in their final encounter against the Costa Ricans on Monday.
There will be plenty of soul-searching after this result, but while Zambia have been a potent force up front, they have for some time looked susceptible at the back against quality opposition.
The fact they lost first-choice goalkeeper Hazel Nali and key midfielder Grace Chanda to injury before the tournament started has certainly not helped.
It took Spain only nine minutes to take the lead as Teresa Abelleira rattled in a shot from 30-yards that nestled in the top corner of the net. It was a sublime finish and one of the goals of the tournament so far.
That advantage was doubled four minutes later when Jenni Hermoso, playing her 100th game for Spain, scored her first as she had the easiest of headers at the back post having been left unmarked.
Zambia then settled and came into the game, looking for the right ball for pacy forward Barbra Banda to run on to and they did create some half-chances that troubled the Spanish.
The European side thought they had a third when Hermoso netted, but she was clearly in an offside position.
It took until the 69th minute for Spain to score a third as substitute Alba Redondo ran on to a through-ball and rounded Zambia goalkeeper Eunice Sakala before slotting home.
Two minutes later Spain had their fourth, though only after plenty of confusion. Hermoso got her second of the night and 50th in international football, but only after a lengthy VAR check.
It appeared as though the goal had initially been ruled out, before referee Oh Hyeon-jeong from South Korea clarified that it was given.
Hermoso almost completed her hattrick when she fired in a powerful shot that was palmed onto the crossbar by Sakala.
But Spain would not be denied their fifth as Redondo was able to control a cross unchallenged in the box and fired past a helpless Sakala.
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