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. Postpublished at 09:38 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 3-0 Spain

    Neil Johnston
    BBC Sport at Wellington Regional Stadium

    The official attendance has just been announced over the speakers. It's 20,957 and they have seen a masterclass from Japan. They mean business at this tournament.

  2. Postpublished at 09:38 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 3-0 Spain

    Japan fans cheer on their side from the stands with banners and flags.Image source, Getty Images

    Japan won the World Cup in 2011, beating the United States on penalties in the final, before the USA got their revenge four years later, winning 5-2 in the 2015 final.

    How far can Japan go this year? They're heading through with a record of three wins from three, 10 goals scored, none conceded and it has been a tactical masterclass today and an exhibition in counter-attacking.

    They're going to take some stopping.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:36 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

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

    Spain's possession and passing tactics worked wonders against Zambia and Costa Rica, but it looks like a very blunt instrument against a stronger team.

    Chris

  4. Postpublished at 09:32 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 3-0 Spain

    Spain still at 77% possession, but still 0-3 down.

    They just can't find a way through an extremely well-organised and disciplined Japan defence. Teresa Abelleira tries her luck, but shoots over the top.

    It's been a quiet second half and 20 minutes to go.

  5. DISALLOWED GOAL - Costa Ricapublished at 09:29 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Costa Rica 1-2 Zambia

    Melissa Herrera thinks she has got her second of the match and a leveller when she shot low across goalkeeper Catherine Musonda and into the net.

    But the celebrations are cut short by an assistant's flag for offside.

    Herrera wipes her face after being denied a second goal.Image source, Getty Images
  6. Postpublished at 09:28 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 3-0 Spain

    A couple of changes for Spain as Alexia Putellas, who has won the Ballon d'Or for being the best player in the world in both the past two years, departs.

    She suffered an ACL knee injury just before last year's Euros and is still gaining match sharpness after her lengthy absence. She has not had much of an impact today and she goes off, as does Mariona Caldentey. On come Alba Redondo and Eva Maria Navarro.

    Putellas holds her hand to her head after being taken off.Image source, Getty Images
  7. 'Spain have the players to win the World Cup'published at 09:25 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 3-0 Spain

    Emma Byrne
    Former Ireland goalkeeper on ITV1

    Spain should be winning the World Cup. They have the players. They have underperformed in major tournaments.

    It's about working on the physicality in their game because they have always had the technical ability.

  8. Postpublished at 09:25 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 3-0 Spain

    Putellas high fives Vilda after being substituted.Image source, Getty Images

    Remember, there was a rebellion among the Spanish players last year with 15 of them putting their names to an email, urging the Spanish football federation to dismiss manager Jorge Vilda.

    The federation backed their manager and only three of those 15 players were then called up for this tournament.

    A 3-0 defeat is not what Vilda will be needing and is giving ammunition to his critics. But, the tournament isn't done for Spain.

    They'll still be in the last 16 anyway, and there are much tougher tasks possible than the Switzerland side they face so still hope for Spain to go far in this tournament.

  9. Postpublished at 09:22 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 3-0 Spain

    Emma Byrne
    Former Ireland goalkeeper on ITV1

    Japan are playing one player up front, Riko Ueki.

    All you need is one player to stay on her and make sure she can't run in behind. That's it.

    Paredes and Ueki battle for possession.Image source, Getty Images
  10. NO PENALTYpublished at 09:20 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Costa Rica 1-2 Zambia

    A let-off for Zambia as the referee announces no penalty.

    It took far longer than everyone would've liked, but eventually Costa Rica's Sheika Scott is judged to have been offside, before the ball got through to the collision between goalkeeper Catherine Musonda and Costa Rica's Priscila Chinchilla.

  11. Postpublished at 09:18 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Costa Rica 1-2 Zambia

    Still we wait. Penalty or not?

  12. Postpublished at 09:17 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Costa Rica 1-2 Zambia

    The referee has been told to review the incident on a pitchside monitor, trying to see who got the ball first - Priscila Chinchilla or goalkeeper Catherine Musonda of Zambia.

    It's very, very close and taking ages to sort out.

    Musonda clatters into the back of Chinchilla in the area.Image source, Getty Images
  13. Postpublished at 09:16 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Costa Rica 1-2 Zambia

    We may well have a Costa Rica penalty here. Priscila Chinchilla and goalkeeper Catherine Musonda come together in the penalty area. One for VAR to look at. Musonda looks in trouble.

    Musonda lies on the floor after colliding with an opponent, Costa Rica players claim for a penalty.Image source, Getty Images
  14. 'Del Castillo can change the pace for Spain'published at 09:11 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 3-0 Spain

    Eniola Aluko
    Former England forward on ITV1

    Spain have played at one pace, the pace of the game is very slow.

    If Athenea del Castillo can come on, she can change the pace for Spain.

  15. 'We've got a game on our hands now'published at 09:10 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Costa Rica 1-2 Zambia

    Siobhan Chamberlain
    Ex-England and Man Utd goalkeeper on ITV4

    Just two minutes into the second half, again the goal has come from a set-piece.

    The goalkeeper challenges Del Campo but comes off worse and it is Herrera that guides the ball in off her stomach in the end.

    We've got a game on our hands now.

    Costa Rica players run back to the halfway line to get the game back under way after scoring.Image source, Getty Images
  16. goal

    GOAL - Costa Rica 1-2 Zambiapublished at 47 mins

    Melissa Herrera

    Zambia scored at the start of the first half, and Costa Rica have done likewise at the start of the second.

    Melissa Herrera gets the final touch with the ball hitting her a few yards out after Zambia goalkeeper Catherine Musonda had not dealt with a ball played into her penalty area.

    A scrappy goal, but that's the first goal for Costa Rica in this tournament and they all count.

    Herrera diverts the ball into the net for Costa Rica.Image source, Reuters
  17. Postpublished at 09:08 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    We are back under way in Hamilton and Wellington, with Costa Rica and Spain with it all to do.

  18. Miyazawa subbed offpublished at 09:07 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    Japan 3-0 Spain

    Changes for both sides at the break.

    Spain take off Olga Carmona and replace her with Oihane Hernandez.

    There will be no hat-trick for Hinata Miyazawa as she has not come back out for the second half, with Aobo Fujino coming on.

  19. 'Spain are disorganised on the counter attack'published at 09:03 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    HT: Japan 3-0 Spain

    Vicky Losada
    Former Spain midfielder on ITV 1

    Japan are waiting for the mistake.

    Spain, we have the ball all the time so then we are disorganised in the counter attack.

    It's very hard with players who are so clever like the Japanese.

  20. China ready for 'difficult' England challengepublished at 09:03 British Summer Time 31 July 2023

    China v England (Tuesday, 12:00 BST)

    Anna Thompson
    BBC Sport at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide

    China manager and captain address the world media ahead of England.Image source, Getty Images

    China manager Shui Qingxia has been talking to the media before her team's crucial match with England on Tuesday.

    England need only a point to guarantee passage to the last 16 whereas China need to win, and better Denmark's result to progress.

    She said: "This match is critical for both teams. To us it’s maybe more difficult. We have been reviewing videos and will of course do our very best."

    Captain Wang Shanshan acknowledged China have not beaten European opposition in a World Cup since 2015.

    "You can see European teams are progressing and are powerful. We will face the challenge, for sure."