In a dominant display against Zambia, Spain secured a convincing victory to advance to the round of 16 in the Women’s World Cup.
Following their initial impressive win against Costa Rica (3-0), the Spanish team, led by coach Jorge Vilda, overwhelmed the Zambians, who are currently ranked 77th in the FIFA rankings.
The Reds’ festival began with a superb long shot by Teresa Abelleira in the 9th minute.
Jennifer Hermoso (13th, 70th) and Alba Redondo (69th, 85th) each scored twice, further strengthening Spain’s position in the tournament.
Notably, Spanish coach Jorge Vilda included Alexia Putellas in the starting lineup, marking her first appearance in the Women’s World Cup since recovering from a serious knee injury.
As the two-time reigning Golden Ball winner, Putellas made a significant impact with an assist for the second goal before being substituted at halftime.
Meanwhile, Zambia faced their second defeat in the tournament after a heavy loss (5-0) against Japan in their opening match.
The team has been under scrutiny due to allegations of sexual abuse by players dating back to September 2022, as well as reports of unpaid federal bonuses for the past two years.
The victories of Spain and Japan (who defeated Costa Rica 2-0) have earned them early qualification for the round of 16, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the Women’s World Cup competition.
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