That’s great news! Spain’s 5-star performance against Zambia must have been incredibly impressive.

It’s always exciting to see a team perform at such a high level and secure a spot in the knockout stage. I hope Spain continues their strong form and goes far in the tournament

Spain confirmed their credentials as pre-tournament favorites by becoming one of the first to qualify for the Round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup with a 5-0 win over Zambia in their second Group C meeting today.

Teresa Abelleira opened the scoring while Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo gave Spain a second win that also sent Japan into the last 16 after beating Costa Rica 2-0 earlier in the day. Abelleira lived all the muscle space with the fastest goal of the competition when he won the ball back after a complex pass in the ninth minute and fired a long close shot that exploded into the top corner. Four minutes later, Hermoso made it Spain’s 100th with an easy header after Alexia Putellas’ cross was saved by Zambia.

Spain continued to dominate after half-time despite Zambian goalkeeper Eunice Sakala making several saves. But it was thwarted when Redondo was put on goal as the striker fired past the 21-year-old goalkeeper to make it 3-0.

Hermoso then grabbed his second – in the 50th for Spain – when he ran off the post to fire home, a goal awarded after confusion in the first stage the referee said he was sent offside. Redondo then hit a late offside trap to score Spain’s fifth, and it was awarded after a VAR review when the assistant referee called for offside.

Spain and Japan both have six points and will meet each other for first place in the group on Monday.