Women's World Cup: Spain crush Zambia 5-0 to join Japan in last 16

Jennifer Hermoso

Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo both scored twice as Spain qualified for the last 16 of the Women's World Cup with a 5-0 win over Zambia on Wednesday, a result that also propelled Japan into the knockout phase.

The fit-again Alexia Putellas was handed a start by Spain coach Jorge Vilda and she played a part in early goals by Teresa Abelleira and Hermoso at Eden Park. Substitute Redondo then scored twice in the second half, either side of another Hermoso, goal as Spain cruised to victory.

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Reigning Ballon d'Or Putellas, who recently returned from over nine months out with a serious knee injury, was taken off at half-time, with Vilda looking to preserve his star player for the Group C decider against Japan next Monday.

Japan had beaten Costa Rica 2-0 earlier and they and Spain are now locked on six points each. Japan forwards Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino scored twice in three minutes in a 2-0 win over Costa Rica on
Wednesday.

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