Spain vs Zambia FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Highlights | Spain Women's team recorded their biggest-ever FIFA WWC victory after defeating Zambia by 5-0

Spain confirmed their place in the last 16 of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 after a huge 5-0 victory over Zambia. Alba Redondo and Jennifer Hermoso scored brace while Teresa Abelleira opened the scoring to seal a convincing victory for the Europeans. The result means Japan have also qualified for the next round. Spain and Japan will take on 31 July at Wellington Regional Stadium to confirm who tops Group C.

"We have obtained another three points, the team started well. Scoring five goals in a World Cup, two games won, very happy. The other day we were left with the taste of having had many situations and not having scored more goals, but now the goal difference is important for the match with Japan. In the end, everything I expected for my third World Cup and to be able to continue enjoying it is what I wanted. I dedicate it to my family who is always with me"

Jennifer Hermoso

Read Also: Japan vs Costa Rica FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 LIVE Blog | Live scores, News, Updates and free commentary

Spain just didn't allow Zambia to get the momentum for once. They kept the same amount of intensity from start to finish. It looked like they toyed with the opposition and that was the worst part. Zambia has quality but not at the level of Spain neither they have the experience. It was expected that playing against La Rosa would not be easy but Spain presented it as a punishment.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Spain vs Zambia - Match Report

First Half:

Spain managed to take control of the contest right from the beginning. It took them only 9 minutes to score the opener. The ball was rolled to Teresa Abelleira just outside of the area. The midfielder took one touch to set herself before scoring a Worldie into the top-left corner which Zambia goalkeeper Eunice Sakala could only stand and watch.

La Roja's free-flowing football created lots of opportunities for themselves. They would double their lead soon after as the excellent Alexia Putellas made a typically enterprising run into space down the left. The Barcelona superstar provided an inch-perfect cross to Jennifer Hermoso who scored a brilliant headed goal on her 100th cap.

Second Half:

Alba Redondo came from the bench and scored from a long ball to round Sakala and tap into an empty net. Hermoso then added to the scoreline just a minute later. It was her 50th international goal for Spain. A historic moment for the Spanish sensation.

Redondo capitalized on Eva Navarro's cross to score her second & Spain's fifth goal from 12 yards. The result means both Spain and Japan will take part in the knockout phase but they will fight out for the top place on 31st July. Zambia joined Costa Rica as both teams got knocked out of the competition.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Spain vs Zambia - Live Blog

Spain vs Zambia | Head-to-Head record

Spain have only played one match against an African nation at the Women's World Cup. They met South Africa and defeated them 3-1 in their tournament opener in 2019. Their last game against an African country in any match was way back in October 2021 when they defeated Morocco 3-0. However, Zambia did beat Germany 3-2 during their Women's World Cup preparations, also pushing Switzerland all the way in a 3-3 draw.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Spain vs Zambia | Lineups

Spain (4-3-3): Rodriguez; Batlle, Paredes, Andres, Carmona; Abelleira, Bonmati, Putellas; Caldentey, Hermoso, Paralluelo

Subs: Salon, Coll, Guerrero, Gonzalez, Hernandez, Codina, Navarro, Perez, Redondo, Galvez, Zornoza, Del Castillo

Zambia (4-3-3): Sakala; Mweemba, Belemu, Tembo, Musesa; S Banda, Katongo, I Lungu; B Banda, Kundananji, Mapepa

Subs: L Lungu, Soko, Mulenga, Wilombe, Lubandji, Selemani, Chanda, Chitundu, E Banda, Phiri

Spain vs Zambia | 12:50 P.M. (IST) | Are you ready????.....

#TheBest starts for @SEFutbolFem. 🇪🇸@AlexiaPutellas | #FIFAWWC

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

Spain vs Zambia | 12:55 P.M. (IST)

The teams are out of the tunnel

Spain vs Zambia | 12:58 P.M. (IST)

Time for the national anthems.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Spain vs Zambia | Kick Off

Here we Go!!!!!.... The match begins.

Spain vs Zambia | 5'

Alexia Putellas' shot deflected wide.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Spain vs Zambia | 9'| Goalllllll!!!!!.. for Spain

Abelleira receives the ball around 25 yards from goal, she takes a touch to get it out of her feet and rifles a shot into the top corner.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Spain vs Zambia | 13'| 2nd Goallll!!!!!.. for Spain

Alexia Putellas provided a cross over the goalkeeper to the back post to Hermoso. She heads it home as Spain doubles the lead over Zambia. Hermoso scored on her 100th appearance for Spain.

Spain vs Zambia | 19'

Susan Banda is injured. Still not sure if this is serious or not but the Physios are on the ground.

Spain vs Zambia | 23'

Now Barbra Banda is down after getting the ball in her face.

Spain vs Zambia | 25'

Tiki-taka or what? Spain are going for another one

Spain vs Zambia | 29'

Free kick for Zambia.

Spain vs Zambia | 37' | Substitution

Double change for Zambia. Wilombe and Chitundu are coming in place of Susan Banda and Mapepa.

Spain vs Zambia | 43'

A perfect tackle from Parades. Barbra Banda lost the opportunity.

Spain vs Zambia | 45'

Six minutes added on.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Spain (2) vs Zambia (0) | Half-time

The Spain-dominated half finally came to an end. They could have scored 3 or 4 goals in total but only managed to get the lead of 2 over the struggling team, Zambia. They looked good in patches but it wasn't enough to put the Spanish side under pressure.

⏸️ ¡𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗢 𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗!

España domina y se marcha a vestuarios con dos goles de ventaja en el marcador.

📺 @La1_tve

🆚 #ESP- #ZAM I 2-0 I 45+4'#JugarLucharYGanar I #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/0lx0EfzE9A

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

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Spain vs Zambia | Second Half Kick off

The second half begins.

Spain vs Zambia | 52'

The La Rosa are enjoying possession.

Spain vs Zambia | 63'

Zambia are looking quite dangerous on the break.

Spain vs Zambia | 67'

Spain are passing the time.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Spain vs Zambia | 69'| 3rd Goallll!!!!!.. for Spain

Alba Redondo scores the third one for Spain. It's all over for Zambia. Navarro lifts the ball over the top for fellow sub-Redondo. She then rounds the goalkeeper to tap into an empty net.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Spain vs Zambia | 70'| 4th Goallll!!!!!.. for Spain

Redondo hits her shot against the post after a cross from Caldentey. The ball bounces straight out to Hermoso who didn't make any mistakes but the flag goes up for Caldentey for being offside. VAR has a long look at it. It takes a long time. Then the referee announces that it is not a goal before correcting herself.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Spain vs Zambia | 85'| 5th Goallll!!!!!.. for Spain

After a cross from Navarro, Redondo scores but the flag went up again. VAR confirmed that she was not offside.

Spain vs Zambia | 90'

Eight minutes added on.

Spain vs Zambia | 90+5'

A boring 8 minutes is going on.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Spain (5) vs Zambia (0) | Full-time

It was a long day for Zambia as they were demolished by the Spanish side. It was not even unexpected at all and this is the worst part. Spain finished the game just as they started it. They qualified for the knockouts while Zambia joined Costa Rica to become the second team from Group C to return home.

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

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