The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup continued full steam ahead Saturday with a Group C matchup between Zambia and Japan at FMG Stadium Waikato in New Zealand.
This was the World Cup debut for Zambia, which is the lowest-ranked team to ever qualify for the tournament at No. 77 in the world. Japan meanwhile, has much more experience, making eight previous appearances and winning it all in 2011.
And that experience showed as the squad hung five goals on its opponent — the most scored by any team so far in the tournament, and its second-largest World Cup win of all time. It’s biggest: A six-goal victory against Argentina way back in the 2003 group stages.
Highlights: Japan handles Zambia, 5-0
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90+11′: Capitalizing on the penalty
Japan netted its fifth goal of the game on a late PK. The first attempt was missed, but Japan got a second chance when it was ruled that Zambia’s goalie came off the line early.
Japan’s Riko Ueki scores goal vs. Zambia in 90+11′
90+8′: No more goalie
Things turned from bad to worse for Zambia in the final seconds of the game, as starting goalkeeper Catherine Musonda received a red card while trying to stop a scoring attempt in the penalty box.
Musonda started the game in relief of Zambia’s longtime starter, Hazel Nali, who tore an ACL just before the tournament. The ejection spelled trouble for the Copper Queens, who will have to start their third-string goalie against Spain.
71′: Jun in July!
Assist on a goal, then score one. It’s only right! Jun Endo added a score to her impressive stat sheet late in the tilt, as she broke away from the defense and deposited a screaming shot into the back of the net.
Japan’s Jun Endo scores goal late vs. Zambia
62′: Offensive onslaught!
Japan’s two previous goalscorers — Mina Tanaka and Hinata Miyazawa hooked up for a pretty play on Japan’s third goal of the match. Tanaka just saved the ball from going out of bounds near Zambia’s goal and rattled off a superb dime to Tanaka, who finished the job in front of the net.
Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa scores!
55′: IT’S GOOD
After two offside penalties on potential goals, Tanaka finally got her goal, as she smoothly slid to convert a nifty pass from Endo. It marked Tanaka’s fifth goal in international play.
Japan’s Mina Tanaka scores goal vs. Zambia
48′: Overaggressive
What could have been another goal for Japan was called back after VAR determined that Tanaka was just a hair offside. That was the third score taken off the board for the squad due to an offside penalty.
43′: GOAL! Sweet pass sets up score
Teamwork makes the dream work! Japan played crisp soccer throughout the first half, finally seeing its work pay off as Miyazawa struck pay dirt with her fifth international goal.
Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa scores vs. Zambia
20′: It won’t count!
Japan had the pressure on from the game’s outset, and after multiple early chances, was able to put away a goal courtesy of a stellar sliding shot from Tanaka. But after the referees checked with VAR, the goal was nullified by an offside call.
9′: Clang!
Musonda had her mettle tested early, as Japan fired off a scary shot attempt that just missed the back of the net, careening off the post.
6′: Stepping in, stepping up
Down its starting goalkeeper, Zambia got a huge boost early on, as backup goalie Musonda showed her poise by thwarting an early shot attempt.
5′: Pushing forward
Japan needs a big tournament from its strikers if it’s going to reignite the success it experienced a decade ago, and Tanaka showed her aggressiveness early by putting pressure on Zambia’s defense.
PREGAME
Setting the stage
The “World Cup NOW” crew previewed the match live on Twitter ahead of kickoff.
Getting into rhythm
Zambia’s Copper Queens had the vibes on 100 as they prepared to take the pitch for their World Cup debut. In fact, they’ve got their own World Cup song available right now!
‘Practice every day with high goals’
Japan’s Jun Endo has been playing soccer since she was 2 years old. She shares some advice for young players in this video feature.
Ready to go
These teams have different experience levels, but both are looking to start fast and make a splash in this tournament.
Check out the full Women’s World Cup schedule and how to watch each match live here. Find the latest scores here.
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