Well thank you for joining me for this match! While Zambia and Costa Rica bow out of the tournament the game was a thriller. Zambia also leave a historic imprint on the World Cup with the fastest goal and 1,000th goal! If you want to catch up with all the action from that one read the report below! Enjoy the rest of the tournament action today and I will catch you tomorrow for more live coverage.
Australia face Canada in a must-win match but they will have to do so with captain Sam Kerr on the bench. The skipper was not involved in the first two matches with a calf injury and it seems she is not back to full fitness just yet.
A fun fact from Japan v Spain, it is the first time Spain have conceded four goals in a game since 2012! The result means Japan will play Norway and Spain have Switzerland in the last 16.
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Next up are the games that will decide Group B. Nigeria, Canada and Australia are all capable of going through with Ireland the only team already confirmed to be out. Here are the permutations from the FIFA website; “Nigeria will qualify for the next phase with a win or a draw against Republic of Ireland. They can lose and go through if Canada defeat Australia, otherwise tie-breakers come into play. Canada are through with a win or a draw against Australia. If they lose and Nigeria are also beaten, then tie-breakers will be required to separate the two. Australia must win against Canada to be certain of reaching the Round of 16. Their only other potential route would be a draw coupled with a defeat for Nigeria, which would bring in tie-breakers.” You can catch the action:
So Japan top the group after a thundering 4-0 rout of Spain, you can catch all the reaction to that one:
Have a look at the Kundananji goal (the clip is from ITV and so some may not have access):
They may be going home but it's a historic day for Zambia 🇿🇲🙌#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/cGMtk5Cqq1
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 31, 2023
It’s worth noting that Zambia are the lowest ranked side at this tournament, the win is a result for the team despite them exiting the World Cup after losing to Japan and Spain.
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David has got in touch and has spoken about the potential penalty that was not given to Costa Rica. He says: “I don’t get how Scott can have been called for offside on that penalty if she didn’t get within 10 meters of the ball? It was intercepted by a defender well before it got to her and then after an exchange of passes between Zambians, the poor backpass was made and it was another Costa Rican player who raced in and got fouled.” Scott was definitely offside when the ball was passed, you are right the defender intercepts but if the linesperson had spotted the offside run before that the eventual foul from Musonda would not have happened. I think that is why it wasn’t given.
Full time! Costa Rica 1-3 Zambia
Zambia make history! The debutants have won their first ever World Cup match and in emphatic style! A delightful Mweemba finish, a B Banda penalty and controlled goal from Kundananji sees them finish the tournament on a high. A Herrera goal saw Costa Rica fight back in the second half but they weren’t clinical enough to get the job done. Both nations exit the World Cup.
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90 + 11 min: B Banda has a shot but Solera makes a great save. Why we are still playing I couldn’t tell you but it’s a great match!
90 + 9 min: Zambia make a change at the end of this match with Chanda off for Mubanga. It’s her first minutes of the tournament.
90 + 8 min: B Banda thought she had won a corner but it’s a goal kick and Costa Rica are away. Herrera has a good run but Belemu cuts out the chance – she has had a great defensive match. The ball comes in but Musonda collects ahead of Rodriguez. Full-time in the other match, Japan have beaten Spain 4-0 – a huge message to send out at this tournament.
90 + 6 min: Costa Rica have been on top for the majority of this second half and have had countless opportunities but they were not clinical and Zambia have now punished them for it. There’s still time but Zambia are the next to launch an attack. B Banda shows off her foot work in the corner but Costa Rica clears.
90 + 4 min: Of course it was B Banda with a delightful cross to Kundananji. She took a touch and then saw it home – what a moment.
GOAL! Costa Rica 1-3 Zambia (Kundananji, 90+3')
Oh my word! Herrera crosses in a lovely ball, Musonda gets a touch to it but she can’t catch it. The spill almost sees it in but Musesa is there to take it off the line. Zambia counter and of course it is Kundananji!
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90 + 2 min: Costa Rica are patient on the ball but they can’t get it into the box and Zambia win it back and counter. Tembo makes a good run but her effort is wide. There will be nine minutes added. Alvarado is off for Pinell – an interesting call with the captain having some great deliveries.
90 min: Kundananji take a bow, the magic feet! She weaves in and out, shoots but it’s deflected out for a corner. Mapepa takes the corner and it’s aimed at the near post but it’s cleared – Zambia coming back into this now after all the momentum being with Costa Rica.
88 min: What an effort and a save! Wow. Great play from both sides. Kundananji’s foot work gets her around Del Campo in the box and she has a strong shot but Solera does really well to save it. Here come Zambia again through B Banda and she has a shot – it’s on target but Solera collects.
86 min: Japan are leading 4-0 now, Spain completely picked apart and it seems certain Japan will top the group. Back to this one and Zambia have made a change with Chitundu off for Mapepa.
85 min: S Banda sees it in but Salas clears. Costa Rica get their own attack underway but Belemu has some great defence in a pressure area to quell the threat. Costa Rica make a change with Scott off for Valenciano.
83 min: Chinchilla’s cross in troubles Musonda enough for her to almost take a touch, I thought she had and was gearing up for a corner but she made sure it was a goal kick – she doesn’t want anymore Alvarado deliveries! Zambia counter and Chitundu crosses to B Banda and she wins a corner.
82 min: Chinchilla wins a foul from Tembo and possession then exchanges hands quite quickly. But there is a chance for Zambia! B Banda has a great run with her storming pace, she lofts a cross in but no one is there to see it home. B Banda is the key to Zambia winning this match, get her on the ball and the attack is huge.
80 min: Jeez! Del Campo has a one touch shot after a thundering Herrera cross but again it’s wide, they have had so many chances but have not been clinical enough. Zambia counter and B Banda has a long range chance, it is fired over the bar.
78 min: Costa Rica continue with their momentum and sub Salas has a shot but it’s just wide. It feels like if there is going to be another goal it will come from them.
76 min: Costa Rica have a free kick, won by Rodriguez, and Alvarado takes once more. Rodriguez gets her head to it but it’s wide. They get into the box again through Alvarado but composed defence from Zambia sees them marshal it to Musonda.
74 min: Costa Rica make a change with G Villalobos off for Salas. They come forward again and it’s Herrera on the attack, her cross is a good one but Chinchilla cna’t get to it. Katongo off for Wilombe
72 min: They take it short and it eventually comes in to Chanda but Coto is fouled and the chance is gone. Costa Rica counter and Chinchilla is almost through! Musonda comes out and punches away, my heart was in my mouth there.
71 min: Can Zambia see this one out? Their threat in the first half has dissipated and it seems they are defending for the win now. Just as I type that Zambia win a corner, typical!
69 min: Chinchilla has a great cross which comes to Herrera but Chanda has a great tackle. Costa Rica come again and Herrera thinks she has finished off a lovely move but she is offside! She tried to get back onside but couldn’t time her run. That would have been a lovely goal.
68 min: B Banda is back up and okay to continue, she gets a yellow card for the challenge. Alvarado has a long range pass but it has too much on it to get to Chinchilla.
66 min: This game has completely flipped, Zambia now look all over the place and Costa Rica have control. But that is a great interception from Chitundu, Zambia work it upfield but Coto is fouled by B Banda and they cough up the ball. B Banda is down injured.
64 min: Kundananji has some great foot work, what a player she is, but a heavy touch sees Costa Rica able to clear their lines. Siobhan Chamberlain makes a great point in commentary, B Banda has been kept off the ball in this half and it is not surprising that Zambia are on the back foot. They do need to get her on the ball.
62 min: The corner comes in but it’s initially cleared, Chinchilla gets it back but her shot is straight at Musonda.
61 min: Alvarado over the ball and sends it in and it comes to F Villalobos on the back post but Musonda concedes a corner.
60 min: A great delivery again from Alvarado, it hits the side netting but a number of players were offside. Kundananji gives away a free kick again though, this game has shifted.
59 min: That is the third time Musonda has taken a player out in the box, she did so twice against Japan and got herself a red card. Costa Rica have a free kick here though.
58 min: The referee has reviewed the footage, this is taking some time! Here we go, oh interesting. It is a foul in the box but Scott is offside in the build-up, no penalty. Musonda will be thankful.
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56 min: Chinchilla gets to the ball and Musonda is attempting to get the ball but she does take Chinchilla out, this could be a penalty. It all comes from an awful back pass and the keeper tries to make up for it. So is it a penalty? They are checking for a foul and if there was an offside in the build-up.
54 min: Costa Rica want a penalty there as Musonda and Chinchilla collide in the box. Both players stay on the ground but I think they will be okay to continue. VAR will check this for a penalty.
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53 min: S Banda whips it in, Herrera tries to clear but it goes to the edge of the area. Mweemba fouls F Villalobos though and the chance is gone.
52 min: That was also Costa Rica’s first goal of the tournament, a great moment for them. Kundananji makes a good run and wins a corner.
51 min: Alvarado is over this, she has put in great deliveries all match and she does so again but it’s cleared by S Banda. It comes to Scott but it’s wide. Costa Rica really attacking this second half.
50 min: Costa Rica have another corner!
49 min: Tembo’s block gave them the corner and Zambia had to play with 10 to defend that with her at the sidelines with injury and they couldn’t keep it out! Tembo is now back on and okay to continue.
GOAL! Costa Rica 1-2 Zambia (Herrera, 47')
Costa Rica whip in a corner, Coto heads to Herrera and Musunda can’t get to it!
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47 min: Tembo is winded here after she blocks a shot, she needs some treatment here.
Back underway! Costa Rica 0-2 Zambia
So can Costa Rica build on the momentum they had before the break? Or will Zambia seal a historic win? All the action to come.
If you want to keep up to date with that match, at the same time as getting the action from this match, you can read the blog below! This game about to get back underway.
In the other match Japan are 3-0 up and Miyazawa has scored two, putting her on the top of the Golden Boot race! Watch that battle play out in real time:
B Banda’s first World Cup goal but the tournament’s 1,000th (Clip is from ITV and so some may not have access):
Goal number 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ in #FIFAWWC
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 31, 2023
A landmark moment in the tournament's history is claimed by Zambia's Barbra Banda 👏 pic.twitter.com/PTJWWbBRDx
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Half-time! Costa Rica 0-2 Zambia
Costa Rica may be growing into this match but it is Zamba who have complete control of the scoreboard. A great finish from Mweemba and a B Banda penalty has them on top.
45 + 4 min: The chance thunders in and it comes to Del Campo but her shot is straight at Musunda.
45 + 4 min: Scott has some great footwork and she wins a free kick, it should be the last play of this half.
45 + 2 min: There will be three minutes added as Costa Rica pepper the Zambia goal, it ends with an offside call.
45 min: Zambia are starting to lose some composure now as Kundananji gives away another foul.
44 min: Costa Rica have another free kick, they are definitely growing into this, and Alvarado takes and so close! F Villalobos has a header but it’s over. Japan are now 3-0 ahead! That is a huge scoreline.
42 min: Alvarado takes the free kick, it’s a huge delivery and it’s off the bar! It’s not cleared and it pinballs around with Scott among those trying to score but the final chance is over the bar.
41 min: Costa Rica have a free kick now on the edge of the box as Tembo fouls M Villalobos and gets a yellow card.
40 min: Another Zambia free kick, this time after a Herrera foul. Belemu over this one and it comes in and keeps going! It goes just wide but my word, that was close to a storming goal.
38 min: B Banda takes but it’s cleared by Coto, it comes to S Banda but it’s wide. This game is all Zambia.
37 min: Herrera shows her frustration as she kicks the ball into the advertising boards after a pass to her has too much on it. Zambia put together another attack and win a free kick after F Villalobos fouls Kundananji.
36 min: Costa Rica get Herrera back on the ball but her cross hits the side netting, not a lot coming together for the team in this first half.
34 min: An update in the other match in this group, Japan have scored again! They are 2-0 up against Spain, as things stand they top the group. Back to this match and its Herrera again who crosses but Tembo collects.
33 min: To me it looked like B Banda had slipped and was not challenged in the box, VAR did not get the referee to double check her decision and Zambia have doubled their lead. Alvarado may have pulled her back but I think it needed a review.
PENALTY! Costa Rica 0-2 Zambia (B Banda, 31')
It’s B Banda and it’s calmly scored! Very well taken penalty. She has scored the 1,000th goal in World Cup history!
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31 min: Okay she looks like she is in conversation with VAR but the penalty is going ahead? Bizarre decision.
30 min: When Costa Rica have the ball they can’t get any front foot advantage but as soon as Zambia have it they are straight into the area. And here they are again! Katongo crosses to B Banda bit she can’t get a shot away, it looks like she has slipped. The referee has given a penalty though?! Why is she not going to VAR?
28 min: So close! B Banda, who else, makes a thundering run and she crosses in but Chitundu’s shot is over the bar.
26 min: B Banda is once again on the set piece and she tries to score herself but it’s a weak effort and Solera collects. Kundananji takes a hit to the face but she is okay to continue.
24 min: B Banda is over the free kick and what a delivery! Chanda can’t get on the end of it though but Zambia keep on coming and Del Campo fouls B Banda, that is the third yellow card of the game for Costa Rica! Another Zambia free kick.
22 min: Benavides gets a yellow card and gives away a free kick after she fouls B Banda. S Banda sends it in but it’s cleared out for a corner. S Banda takes it short, it comes back to her but Herrera concedes another free kick with a handball.
20 min: A huge ball comes to B Banda, who does well to work it into the area. She crosses and it goes across the face of goal but Chitundu can’t connect! Zambia getting closer to another goal.
19 min: S Banda is over the free kick and my gosh that was so close! It bundles around and Solera stays on the left side of goal, Kundananji is unmarked and gets a head to it on the right but it’s cleared off the line!
17 min: B Banda has a fantastic run into the box but Villalobos sees it out for a corner, it’s sent in but it’s initially cleared. It comes to Belemu who wins a free kick after a foul from Chinchilla.
16 min: Coto wins a free kick on halfway as Costa Rica continue to build in this match. The team run it through their back line, some sustained possession is what the team needs but it is not long before S Banda wins it back.
14 min: Herrera is a great threat for Costa Rica, whenever she has the ball at her feet she creates something. She has a well-timed run down the right and passes to Chinchilla whose shot is saved by Musonda. An update from the other game in this group, Japan have scored and lead Spain 1-0.
12 min: End-to-end action at the moment and it ends with G Villalobos win possession from B Banda, they need to get a foothold in this.
10 min: A bit of frantic midfield play sees Rodriguez pop it into the area, it’s the first time the ball has been in the Zambia box! But it has too much on it and it’s out for a goal kick. Zambia unleash B Banda as they launch their latest attack but Coto cuts out her run, a good challenge.
8 min: Kundananji is over the set piece ball, she bends it around the wall but it does not have enough power on it to trouble Solera.
7 min: Alvarado gets a yellow card after a foul on Kundananji, Zambia have a free kick on the edge of the box as a result.
6 min: That was sloppy from Costa Rica as a loose pass almost sees Zambia away, they recover but this is a nervous start from Costa Rica. B Banda gives away a free kick to relieve some pressure.
4 min: Well what a start! That was a great goal, Zambia’s first ever World Cup goal.
GOAL! Costa Rica 0-1 Zambia ( Mweemba, 3')
Zambia have a corner and it’s whipped in, Mweemba gets a great connection as she lobs the keeper! Wow!
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2 min: A steady start to this one with Zambia having sustained possession, Costa Rica have a high press and Zambia will have to weather that throughout.
Kick-off! Costa Rica 0-0 Zambia
Here we go then! Can each side score their first goal of the tournament? And who, if either, will get their first win? We will find out over the next 90 minutes.
The stadium looks half full but both sides have some passionate support! Kick-off imminent.
The players are coming out here and the anthems will shortly follow! How do you see this one shaking out? Let me know!
And while Australia fight to stay in a home World Cup, co-hosts New Zealand exited the tournament yesterday after drawing 0-0 with Switzerland:
Later today Canada take on co-hosts Australia in a crucial match for both sides in order to progress. We will be covering the match live but here is a good feature to read before
The biggest upset of this World Cup happened yesterday when Colombia sealed a 2-1 win over Germany. It was the Germans first loss in the group stage at a World Cup since 1995! Here’s how the Colombian fans reacted:
It’s been a year since England won the Euros and it’s bringing back memories of a huge game at Wembley! It may be one of my most favourite memories around football, what’s yours? Let me know via Twitter or email.
The other match in this group kicks off at the same time and so why not have both blogs open so you don’t miss any action! Japan v Spain will see the two nations battling for top spot of the Group and to keep their perfect start to the World Cup going, all the updates:
And here’s our guide on Zambia’s best player: “During Tokyo 2020, Barbra Banda made history by becoming the first woman in Olympic history to score consecutive hat-tricks. Despite the Copper Queens’ underwhelming performance, the Shanghai Shengli forward stood out as one of the most exciting players at the tournament. On her aims going into her debut World Cup, Banda told FAZ media: “We need to go there with full force and the mentality of winning.”” Full piece:
Here’s some information on Costa Rica’s rising star: “Alexandra Pinell, a 20-year-old midfielder, first came to attention while playing in the second division in Costa Rica. She is now expected to become one of the best players at her current club, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, and is the captain of Costa Rica’s Under-20 team. Pinell scored a memorable 40-yard free-kick against Australia in the 2022 Under-20 Women’s World Cup. While shy off the field, she excels on it, displaying speed, game-reading skills and a powerful shot.” Read the full piece:
Zambia have also released their line-up. They make three changes with goalkeeper Musanda back after her suspension following her red card in Zambia’s first match. Chanda and Chitundu also come in for Lungu and Mapepa.
Starting XI: Musonda, Mweemba, Belemu, Tembo, Musesa, S Banda, Katongo, Chanda, B Banda, Kundananji, Chitundu.
Copper Queens Starting XI Vs Costa Rica at 09h00CAT! #FIFAWWC #FIFAWorldCup #WeAreCopperQueens pic.twitter.com/sSvdMVufCW
— FAZ (@FAZFootball) July 31, 2023
Costa Rica’s team news is here! The team make four changes with Guillen, Granados, Elizondo and Sala out for Del Campo, G Villalobos, Rodriguez and Scott.
Starting XI: Solera, Coto, Benavides, Del Campo, Herrera, G Villalobos, Rodriguez, Chinchilla, Alvarado, F Villalobos, Scott
Así saldrá nuestra Sele 🇨🇷 en su tercer encuentro en la @FIFAWWC . ¡Vamooooos chicas! 💪🏻❤️
— FCRF 🇨🇷 (@fedefutbolcrc) July 31, 2023
🇨🇷 Costa Rica vs Zambia 🇿🇲
🏟 Estadio de Hamilton, Nueva Zelanda.
⏰ 1:00 a.m.
Transmisión por @teletica7
Presenta @kolbi_cr#FCRF #LaSeleFemenina #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/4qZx9hF5Ue
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the final group game day for Group C! We will be focusing on Costa Rica v Zambia and both nations cannot progress to the knock-out stages.
The countries both lost to Spain and Japan and so it is mathematically impossible for them to grab a spot to go through but what is at stake are their first World Cup points of the tournament.
After suffering loses both teams have not tasted any point joy. They have also both not scored a goal at the tournament and they will want to leave the World Cup with something.
Costa Rica are only at their second World Cup, after qualifying for the 2015 tournament, while Zambia are competing at their inaugural World Cup. The team news for their final match will be announced shortly ahead of kick-off in an hour’s time. Stay tuned!
