Japan, Spain Cruise into Last 16 as Zambia, C’Rica, Ireland Eliminated 

Rampant title contenders Spain and former champions Japan became the first teams to reach the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup last 16 phase yesterday as they both won group games with relative ease.

Two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Alexia Putellas, started for Spain despite her serious knee injury and played her part in a 5-0 demolition of Zambia. 

Japan also reached the knockout rounds following their 2-0 win over Costa Rica earlier in the day.

In the final match of the day, Olympic champions Canada took a step towards the next round by fighting back from a goal down in soaking-wet Perth to win 2-1 against Ireland, whose hopes of progressing are over. 

Japan and Spain will meet on Monday to decide who wins Group C, and with it a theoretically easier draw. Both have a perfect six points from two games and are yet to concede a goal. 

Costa Rica and Zambia play the same day in the fight to avoid finishing bottom of the pile. 

Barcelona’s Putellas came off at halftime at Eden Park in Auckland but Zambia were already dead and buried by then with Spain two goals in front against the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. 

Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo both scored twice in the victory in front of just over 20 000 spectators, but Spain coach Jorge Vilda warned their best was still to come. 

“We haven’t seen the best version of Spain, that is absolutely clear,” said Vilda. 

“After the second goal we took our foot off the pedal and that is something we need to correct. We can’t settle for this,” he added. 

The 2011 champions Japan beat an error-prone Costa Rica comfortably in front of 6 992 spectators in Dunedin, the smallest crowd at the finals yet. 

Japan, who began their campaign by thrashing Zambia 5-0, were never in trouble against an outclassed Costa Rica at the nearly 30 000-capacity Dunedin Stadium.