Spain move on to knockout stage at Women’s World Cup as La Roja beat Zambia
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — As she has many instances earlier than, Jennifer Hermoso answered the decision for Spain on Wednesday night time.
She scored twice and assisted in her a hundredth worldwide look to push La Roja previous Zambia 5-0 on Wednesday, a victory that locked each Spain and Japan into the Women’s World Cup knockout spherical.
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet {
show: grid;
grid-template-columns: 200px 1fr;
hole: 20px;
width: 100%;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 16px;
border: 1px strong #CECECE;
background-color: #FFF;
border-radius: 4px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info a {
text-decoration: none;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-title {
shade: #343434;
font-family: ‘roboto’;
font-size: 20px;
font-weight: 600;
line-height: 22px;
margin-bottom: 10px;
high: -3px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-body {
shade: #343434;
font-family: ‘urw-din’;
font-size: 16px;
line-height: 20px;
margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-link-title {
show: inline-block;
font-family: ‘urw-din’;
font-size: 16px;
list-style-type: none;
width: auto;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-link-title:not(:last-child):after ‘;
shade: #343434;
Spain and Japan are the primary groups to clinch berths within the event’s spherical of 16. They will play on Monday in Wellington to determine seeding.
“I’m very happy to be in the last 16, I’m proud of moments during the game,” Spain coach Jorge Vidal stated. “And I’m very happy that Spain is a team of 23 football players. We saw that today.”
Hermoso, Spain’s all-time main scorer, deposited a one-time header off an ideal cross from Alexia Putellas within the thirteenth minute. She then gathered a rebound and scored on an empty web within the seventieth minute. The objective was initially wiped away for offside, then ultimately confirmed after a prolonged assessment.
“To score two goals in the World Cup,” Hermoso stated by way of a translator. “I will keep that forever.”
Teresa Abelleira launched a 92 km/h strike from properly exterior the field within the ninth minute and beat Eunice Sakala to the highest aspect of the web, her second objective with the Spain nationwide group.
Like Hermoso, Alba Redondo additionally scored twice, within the 69th and eighty fifth minutes. Her first objective was a formidable run off of an extended go, whereas her second was on a rebound in entrance of an empty web.
Spain’s assault benefitted from dealing with Zambia’s third-string goalkeeper. Sakala began Monday night time after the beginning goalie and her backup have been injured and obtained a crimson card, respectively.
The recreation was performed earlier than 20,983 followers in chilly Eden Park, the bottom attendance of the 4 video games performed thus far in New Zealand’s largest metropolis.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“Jenni is magic on the pitch. Her style of play is very different, she has a lot of experience, that’s what she’s good at. She had a great performance with two goals this match, and we’re very happy,” Spain ahead Salma Paralluelo.
“On one-versus-one situation, I think they took advantage because they were able to eliminate our defenders. That was one of the strengths that they had,” Zambia coach Bruce Mwape.
KEY MOMENTS
Barbra Banda registered Zambia’s first shot on objective of the event within the eighth minute, an excellent probability to show early momentum towards the Copper Queens. Spain’s Misa Rodriguez saved the rolling shot.
Abelleira scored within the subsequent minute, and Spain held a transparent benefit by way of the remainder of the match.
WHY IT MATTERS
Spain’s win moved La Roja and Japan on from Group C. Both enter their upcoming match with six factors, that means the winner would depart as the upper seed. In the occasion of a draw, Spain has the tiebreaking edge on objective differential.
Zambia, making its Women’s World Cup debut, remains to be looking for its first level and objective within the event.
WHAT’S NEXT
Spain takes on Japan on Monday in Wellington to determine Group C’s seeding within the knockout stage. Also Monday, Zambia meets Costa Rica in Hamilton. Both Zambia and Costa Rica are eradicated from advancing out of Group C.
