Spain vs Zambia 5-0: Women’s World Cup 2023 – as it happened

Spain and Japan become the first two sides to qualify for the knockout stages at this World Cup with Costa Rica and Zambia heading home after their final group match on Monday.

It was an emphatic performance in Auckland from Spain, who are looking like a real threat.

The final game today sees Canada take on Ireland in Perth. You can follow that one here.

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Plenty of standout performances for Spain tonight, but Hermoso was particularly exceptional.

The former PSG and Barcelona star scored twice and could well have had a hat-trick.

She will be a player to keep an eye on as this tournament progresses.

❎ Gol anulado a Jenni Hermoso por fuera de juego.

📺 @La1_tve

🆚 #ESP– #ZAM I 2-0 I 38'#JugarLucharYGanar I #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/pG6Dq7F0He

— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) July 26, 2023

🇪🇸 @SEFutbolFem recorded their biggest ever #FIFAWWC win on a historic night for @JenniHermoso! 👏

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 26, 2023

No shocks in Auckland as Spain outclass their African opponents. They had 22 efforts at goal and plenty of possession.

Zambia can be proud of their performance though, especially Banda who never stopped running for her country.

The Copper Queens will now face Costa Rica in their final group game, with both teams sat on zero points.

Spain and Japan will go head-to-head to decide who will top Group C.

#FIFAWWC #fifawomensworldcup2023

La Roja hand Copper Queens second defeat at the #FIFAWWC. pic.twitter.com/NlE2pq45Ik

— FAZ (@FAZFootball) July 26, 2023

That’s full-time, and Zambia are out. Several of the players are in tears out on the pitch, a really sad sight.

They join Costa Rica in dropping out of the World Cup today.

Full-time: Spain 5-0 Zambia

Kundananji tried to put her name in the history books. She ran straight towards the Spain penalty area and struck a shot from outside of the area.

It was a tired-looking effort and sailed over the top of the bar.

At the other end, Sakala makes yet another great save. Redondo was unmarked in the middle of the box, heading the ball towards the goal. Sakala managed to get a hand to it before claiming the resulting corner under no pressure from any Spain players.

90+10 mins: Spain 5-0 Zambia

Spain will finish with 10 players due to that Del Castillo injury. The pace of the game has completely slowed down, with the players waiting for the whistle.

90+8 mins: Spain 5-0 Zambia 

Abelleira is back on the field, a welcome sight for Spain fans.

Navarro continues to charge down the right-hand side. She’s made a real difference since coming on at half-time, stretching the Zambian defence.

Del Castillo is down for Spain now, with her head in her hands. The physios are checking her right ankle. She limps to the touchline with the help of a member of the Spanish medical staff.

90+6 mins: Spain 5-0 Zambia 

Abelleira is being treated on the side of the pitch after going down injured.

She has been brilliant all evening and got Spain under way with that early goal.

90+3 mins: Spain 5-0 Zambia 

Zambia will just want the full-time whistle now, but they have eight minutes to endure.

Lunbanji gets the first yellow card of the game after fouling Paredes from behind. That was pure frustration after she lost the ball.

90+2 mins: Spain 5-0 Zambia

That could easily have been a Zambian own goal off Musesa.

Navarro continues to cause chaos down the right, sending in another dangerous cross.

Musesa kicks it away while facing her own goal, with the ball just going past the post.

Sakala makes another good save from the resulting corner. She has been superb all evening.

89 mins: Spain 5-0 Zambia 

Another very tight offside call that requires VAR.

Navarro plays a beautiful first-time cross from the right and finds Redondo on the penalty spot. She controls it well before firing the ball into the bottom corner.

The flag goes up and VAR is needed again. There’s less of a wait this time and the goal is given.

85 mins: Spain 5-0 Zambia

Hermoso almost had a hat-trick. She picked up the ball on the edge of the box and fired in a shot aiming for the top corner.

Sakala makes a wonderful save with her fingertips to keep it out. Paredes battles to win a header from the resulting corner but it’s straight into the arms of Sakala.

83 mins: Spain 4-0 Zambia

It’s been a great effort from Banda this evening, she has worked her socks off upfront for Zambia.

She picks the ball up again and strikes a powerful shot from the right hand side of the pitch, but the angle is not in her favour, although her shot does clip the top of the net.

81 mins: Spain 4-0 Zambia

Off: Lushomo Mweemba, Evarine Katongo

On: Ochumba Lubanji, Vast Phiri

A real shame for Mweemba who is stretchered off after she was injured in the build-up to Spain’s fourth goal.

78 mins: Spain 4-0 Zambia

Hermoso has the ball in the back of the net, but the flag has gone up. VAR checks it for offside.

Then comes a moment of chaos. The referee makes an announcement that is fairly unclear before correcting herself to confirm that there was no offside and it is indeed a goal.

It was a nice finish from Hermoso after she picked up the ball in the box after Guerrero had hit the post.

Plenty of confusion, but Spain extend their lead over scoreless Zambia.

74 mins: Spain 4-0 Zambia

Navarro plays a pass over the top for Redondo.

She does well to stay on her feet in the box after a push in the back from a Zambian defender before rounding the keeper to slot home.

69 mins: Spain 3-0 Zambia

Navarro continues to trouble the Zambian defence. She runs at the full-back on the right-hand side before playing it into the middle for Hermoso.

The midfielder takes a shot from just outside the D, but it’s deflected, and Sakala is able to make a diving save to her left. The shot was perhaps heading wide.

67 mins: Spain 2-0 Zambia

Guerrero is straight into the thick of the action, chasing a ball down the left flank. She shows plenty of pace in that burst.

At the other end, Kundananji picks up the ball just outside the area but runs straight into a Spanish defender.

63 mins: Spain 2-0 Zambia

Bonmati leaves the field, and Irene Guerrero replaces her.

61 mins: Spain 2-0 Zambia