Summary

  • Japan claim top spot in Group C ahead of Spain

  • Result: Japan 4-0 Spain - Miyazawa scored twice either side of Ueki's deflected shot; Tanaka added fourth

  • Japan will play Norway in last 16; Spain will face Switzerland

  • Result: Costa Rica 1-3 Zambia - African nation get first-ever win at tournament

  • Mweemba, Banda and Kundananji for Zambia, Herrera pulled one back for Costa Rica

  1. 'Spain need substitutions'published at 08:57 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    HT: Japan 3-0 Spain

    Vicky Losada
    Former Spain midfielder on ITV 1

    Japan know what they are doing,

    We have Alexia Putellas, Mariona Caldentey and Jenni Hermoso looking for the same space. We need substitutions, we need to make a change.

    Jorge Vilda scratches his head in frustration.Image source, Getty Images
  2. HALF-TIMEpublished at 08:52 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Costa Rica 0-2 Zambia

    Zambia's first two matches at the World Cup both ended in 5-0 hammerings, but now they are 45 minutes away from creating history and getting their first win.

    Lushomo Mweemba scored the quickest goal of the tournament so far, inside three minutes, before Barbra Banda added a second from the penalty spot, after she had been fouled by Katherine Alvarado.

    Zambia players celebrate at the corner flag after their second goal.Image source, EPA
  3. HALF-TIMEpublished at 08:49 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 3-0 Spain

    Two goals from Hinata Miyazawa and one from Riko Ueki are taking Japan through as Group C winners as it stands.

    They are heading towards a match against Norway, while Spain will be second and facing Switzerland in the next phase, unless there is a huge turnaround in the second half.

    Japan players rush to celebrate together as Spain players stand shellshocked.Image source, Getty Images
  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:47 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    Sulaimon: Japan's counter attacking football is ruthlessness at its very best. Japan's finishing has been excellent.

  5. CLOSE!published at 08:46 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Costa Rica 0-2 Zambia

    A chance for Costa Rica to get a goal back. It is a great free-kick delivery from deep from Katherine Alvarado and it is met by Fabiola Villalobos, who just can't keep her header down.

  6. 'Exceptional finishing'published at 08:44 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 3-0 Spain

    Neil Johnston
    BBC Sport at Wellington Regional Stadium

    Japan are blowing Spain away. Exceptional finishing.

    As it stands Japan will be staying in Wellington to face Norway in the last 16 on Saturday.

    That will be a showdown between the 2011 world champions and the 1995 world champions.

  7. 'Perfect counter attacking from Japan'published at 08:44 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 3-0 Spain

    Emma Byrne
    Former Ireland goalkeeper on ITV1

    I'm stunned. We're all stunned.

    Lovely weighted ball. What a finish from Hinata Miyazawa again. Japan don't waste chances.

    Three chances, three goals. That is the stat you want. Forget the possession stats, I'd rather have that.

    It's a great example from Japan, what a defensive display and a perfect counter attacking display.

    Misa Rodriguez stands shellshocked as Japan players celebrate nearby in the box.Image source, Getty Images
  8. goal

    GOAL - Japan 3-0 Spainpublished at 40 mins

    Hinata Miyazawa

    Who needs possession?

    Japan, now with 22% of the ball, have their third goal with their third attempt of the match.

    It falls to Hinata Miyazawa and she shoots powerfully across goal and into the net. Just as she did against Zambia, she scores twice in the match to move to four and an outright leader in the race for the Golden Boot.

    Miyazawa fires towards goal as Paredes slides down to block the shot.Image source, Reuters
  9. Postpublished at 08:40 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 2-0 Spain

    Spain are still dominating the ball and having the chances. Salma Paralluelo strikes at goal, but it is deflected off a blue shirt away for a corner.

    Spain opt to go short, but Japan are able to clear the ball.

  10. Postpublished at 08:38 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 2-0 Spain

    A chance for Jennifer Hermoso after a cross from ex-Manchester United right-back Ona Batlle.

    The cross is behind Hermoso but she does excellently to get her head on it, but the ball lands on the roof of the net and not inside it.

  11. 'Such clever play from Japan'published at 08:35 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 2-0 Spain

    Emma Byrne
    Former Ireland goalkeeper on ITV1

    Just such clever play. Really exploiting Spain at the back. Riko Ueki, if you don't shoot, you don't score. Big deflection from Irene Paredes but again they won't mind.

  12. Top of the chartspublished at 08:35 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 2-0 Spain

    Neil Johnston
    BBC Sport at Wellington Regional Stadium

    And with that goal Japan go to the top of the scoring charts at this World Cup. Nine goals in 209 minutes. And they look like they could get one or two more before the night is out in New Zealand.

  13. goal

    GOAL - Costa Rica 0-2 Zambiapublished at 31 mins

    Barbra Banda (penalty)

    So calm from Barbra Banda, slotting the ball into the bottom left corner after Costa Rica goalkeeper Daniela Solera had edged the other way.

    Here's a great stat for you, that's the 1,000th goal in Women's World Cup history.

    Zambia on course for their first ever win at a finals.

    Barbara banda shoots from the penalty spot with players from both sides watching on.Image source, Getty Images
    Barbara Banda wheels away to celebrate, with her teammates chasing her.Image source, Getty Images
  14. 'Not sure that is a penalty'published at 08:33 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Costa Rica 0-1 Zambia

    Siobhan Chamberlain
    Ex-England and Man Utd goalkeeper on ITV4

    Judging by the replay, from the angle we saw, you can understand the Costa Rica complaints.

    It looked like Banda's foot just slipped from beneath her when she tried to strike the ball.

    Costa Rica players remonstrate with the referee.Image source, Getty Images
  15. PENALTY to Zambiapublished at 08:32 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Costa Rica 0-1 Zambia

    A penalty from nowhere!

    The ball drops to Barbra Banda inside the six-yard box but the Zambian captain goes down before she can strike the ball.

    The Costa Rican players are furious with the decision but Banda was having her shirt pulled by Katherine Alvarado.

  16. goal

    GOAL - Japan 2-0 Spainpublished at 29 mins

    Riko Ueki

    Another lightning counter-attack and Japan, who have only had 24% of the ball, double their lead.

    First goalscorer Hinata Miyazawa leads the charge, she plays it left to Riko Ueki.

    She cuts inside on to her right foot and shoots from just inside the penalty area, with the ball taking a deflection off of defender Irene Paredes with it looping up and over goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez.

    A slice of luck, but Japan won't be worried about that.

    Ueki shoots at goal from outside the box.Image source, Getty Images
    Ueki jumps into the arms of her substitute teammates after scoring.Image source, Reuters
  17. Postpublished at 08:28 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 1-0 Spain

    Japan 56, Spain 262. That's the total of passes completed, but Japan leading in the only stat that really, really matters.

  18. 'Frustration setting in for Costa Rica'published at 08:27 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Costa Rica 0-1 Zambia

    Siobhan Chamberlain
    Ex-England and Man Utd goalkeeper on ITV4

    You can see the frustration from the Costa Rica players.

    They have collected three yellow cards now, all for pulling back.

    They can't seem to keep hold of, not for the lack of trying, the Zambia forwards.

  19. Postpublished at 08:27 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Costa Rica 0-1 Zambia

    Zambia are causing Costa Rica so many problems and three of the Costa Rica side - right-back Valeria del Compo, centre half Mariana Benavides and midfielder Katherine Alvarado - have already been booked inside the opening 25 minutes.

    Zambia leading and pushing for a second.

    Benavides is the latest Costa Rica player to be shown a yellow card.Image source, Reuters
  20. Three in a row for Japan?published at 08:23 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 1-0 Spain

    Neil Johnston
    BBC Sport at Wellington Regional Stadium

    There's a section of Japan fans who are wearing masks and dressed in national costume who are banging drums. They're banging them even louder now.

    The Nadeshiko had won just one of their previous five World Cup games before this edition. They're now eyeing a third win in a row in New Zealand.

    Japan players huddle together to celebrate with Spain players forlorn in the background.Image source, Getty Images