Spain Women vs Zambia Women – Match preview, live stream, kick-off time, prediction, team news, lineups
Spain kicked off their 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign with a glorious 3-0 win. They will be hoping for a second consecutive win when they face Zambia at Eden Park on Wednesday.
Spain beat Costa Rica 3-0 in their opening game, whilst Zambia’s first game saw a heavy 5-0 loss to Japan in their first-ever match at a Women’s World Cup.
- Group C: Spain vs Zambia (08:30, Auckland) – BBC Two
Match Preview
Spain World Cup campaign
Spain went into the World Cup on the back of six successive victories and opened their 2023 campaign with a win over Costa Rica in Wellington.
Spain surged into a three-goal lead inside 30 minutes thanks to Esther Gonzalez and Aitana Bonmati after a Valeria del Campo own goal opened the scoring.
Despite a healthy win, Spain could’ve had more goals – they missed a penalty and despite having 46 shots, 12 on target, it’s more surprising they didn’t have more goals. The team will need to get more clinical in front of goal going forward.
Spain could seal their place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare if they win and Japan pick up a point against Costa Rica.
Jorge Vilda’s team carry momentum into Wednesday’s contest, having scored 24 goals without reply in their last five matches.
Zambia World Cup campaign
It was a disappointing World Cup debut for Zambia – who lost 5-0 to Japan without getting a single shot.
Zambia had only scored one goal by halftime, but Japan took control of the second half, scoring another four goals.
Zambia will be knocked out of the tournament if they lose on Wednesday and Japan collect at least a point in the group’s other game.
In their last four internationals, Zambia have conceded at least 3 goals and will now need to produce a strong defensive display if they want to have any chance against Spain.
Team News
After missing the majority of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Alexia Putellas was given 14 minutes off the bench in the opening game as she continues to build up her match fitness.
Putellas is likely to feature among the substitutes once again, with Vilda expected to name an unchanged lineup for Wednesday’s encounter.
As a result, Gonzalez will continue to lead the line for La Roja, and she will be flanked by Athenea del Castillo and Salma Paralluelo.
Meanwhile, Zambia will be forced into a change in goal, with Catherine Musonda set to serve a one-match suspension after being sent off against Japan.
Eunice Sakala is expected to feature in between the posts, and the goalkeeper could be shielded by the central defensive pairing of Agness Musase and Lushomo Mweemba.
After being provided minimal service in the opening game, Barbra Banda will be hoping to offer a greater goal threat when she leads the line on Wednesday.
Spain Women possible starting lineup:
Misa; Batlle, Paredes, Ivana, Carmona; Bonmati, Abelleira, Hermoso; Del Castillo, Paralluelo, Gonzalez
Zambia Women possible starting lineup:
Sakala; Belemu, Musase, Mweemba, Tembo; S. Banda, Lungu, Katongo; Kundananji, Mapepa, B. Banda
WTX Sports says Spain will win 4-0
It’ll be a tough game for Zambia as Spain will likely dominate. The best they can hope for is holding their defensive line and aiming for a clean sheet.
