JAPAN BOOKED THEIR place in the Women’s World Cup last 16 as forwards Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino scored twice in three minutes in a 2-0 win over Costa Rica.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo both scored twice as Spain qualified for the last 16 with a 5-0 win over Zambia.
The results saw both Costa Rica and Zambia become the first two teams to be mathematically eliminated from the tournament.
A sparse crowd of 6,992 spectators saw Japan’s win over Costa Rica in Dunedin, the lowest attendance so far.
Costa Rica were floored by a devastating first-half spell from the Japanese who grabbed two rapid-fire goals.
Substitute Gloriana Villalobos managed their one and only shot on target so far at this World Cup with nine minutes left.
Japan took the lead through Naomoto on 25 minutes and they made it 2-0 when they again sliced through Costa Rica’s shaky defence moments later.
The 19-year-old Fujino turned her marker, dribbled into the penalty area and powered her shot inside the near post.
The scoreline would have been much higher were it not for fine saves by Costa Rica goalkeeper Daniela Solera, who had another busy night between the posts but should have done better with both goals.
The shot-stopper was badly shaken with 25 minutes left after a mid-air collision with Japan replacement Riko Ueki when both players went for a cross.
With their final pool match against Spain still to come on Monday, Japan’s seven goals so far is a record for them in World Cup group stages.
Meanwhile, the fit-again Alexia Putellas was handed a start by Spain coach Jorge Vilda against Zambia and she played a part in early goals by Teresa Abelleira and Hermoso at Eden Park.
Substitute Redondo then scored twice in the second half, either side of another Hermoso, goal as Spain cruised to victory.
Reigning Ballon d’Or Putellas, who recently returned from over nine months out with a serious knee injury, was taken off at half-time, with Vilda looking to preserve his star player for the Group C decider against Japan next Monday.
Spain’s margin of victory means they now have a better goal difference and so just need a draw to finish in first place when the sides clash in Wellington.
