Spain and Japan move on to knockout stage
Auckland, The Gulf Observer: Spain and Japan reached knockout stage at Women’s World Cup as La Roja beat Zambia 5-0, as she has many times before, Jennifer Hermoso answered the call for Spain on Wednesday night.
She scored twice and assisted in her 100th international appearance to push La Roja past Zambia 5-0 on Wednesday, a victory that locked both Spain and Japan into the Women’s World Cup knockout round.
Spain and Japan are the first teams to clinch berths the tournament’s round of 16 They will play on Monday in Wellington to decide seeding, reports AP.
Hermoso, Spain’s all-time leading scorer, deposited a one-time header off a perfect cross from Alexia Putellas in the 13th minute.
She then gathered a rebound and scored on an empty net in the 70th minute. The goal was initially wiped away for offside, then eventually confirmed after a lengthy review.
Teresa Abelleira launched a 58-mph strike from well outside the box in the ninth minute and beat Eunice Sakala to the top side of the net, her second goal with the Spain national team.
