Redemption or destruction: Zambia’s fate hang in the balance in Women’s World Cup clash with Spain

At 8.30am Nigerian time on Wednesday, Zambia will clash with Spain in an encounter that may decide their fate in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Spain and Zambia experienced contrasting fortunes in their opening matches of Group C as the European side produced their biggest-ever victory in the competition’s history with the 3-0 victory over Costa Rica.  Zambia on the other hand, suffered a 0-5 loss to Japan.

Last week’s  three-goal victory will give Spain a huge confidence boost as they come into their second match knowing another victory in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau will put them in pole position to reach the round of 16.

In their debut match in the competition, Zambia held Japan at bay for the majority of the first half but a goal just before half-time dented their morale and four second-half goals saw them suffer defeat in their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup match.

They have played a number of friendlies against European opposition in the build-up to this tournament, including an excellent 3-2 win over Germany, and they will be looking to bounce back in positive fashion here.

Here are statistics ahead of the clash.

• Head-to-Head: Both are meeting for the first time ever.

Key facts

• Spain have kept a clean sheet in their last two FIFA Women’s World Cup group matches.
• With her goal against Costa Rica, Esther González became the oldest goalscorer for Spain in the FIFA Women’s World Cup at the age of 30 years and 225 days, claiming the record from Jennifer Hermoso (29 years and 46 days when she played against the USA in 2019).
• In Spain’s opening match, Salma Paralluelo became the youngest ever player to represent the nation at the FIFA Women’s World Cup at 19 years and 250 days.
• Irene Paredes and Alexia Putellas are the only players to have featured in all of Spain’s previous eight FIFA Women’s World Cup matches (3-2015, 4-2019, 1-2023).
• Two of Zambia’s squad are attached to Spanish clubs: Hellen Mubanga (Zaragoza CFF) and Racheal Kundananji (Madrid CFF).

SPAIN TEAM FACTS

• Overall record: Play8,  Win 2,  Draw 2,  Lost 4, Goals For 9, Goals Against 8,  Goal Difference: 1
• Biggest win: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica (21/07/2023)
• Biggest defeat: Spain 0-1Brazil (13/06/2015);  Spain 1-2 Korea Republic (17/06/2015),  Spain 0-1 Germany (12/06/2019) and Spain 2-1 USA (24/06/2019)
• Highest scoring match: 4 goals – Spain 3-1 South Africa (08/06/2019)
• Most goals scored in a match: 3 – Spain 3-1 South Africa (08/06/2019), Spain 3-0 Costa Rica (21/07/2023)
• Most goals conceded in a match: 2 – Korea Republic 2-1 Spain (17/06/2015), Spain 1-2 USA (24/06/2019)
• Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 4 – 2019 (4 matches)
• Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2 – 2015 (3 matches)
• Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 4 – 2015 (3 matches)/2019 (4 matches)
• Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 4 – 2015 (3 matches)/2019 (4 matches)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS

• Successive wins: 1 (2019 and 2023-present)
• Successive defeats: 2 (2015)
• Successive draws: 1 (2015 and 2019)
• Successive matches without a defeat: 1 (four times, most recently 2023-present)
• Successive matches without a win: 3 (2015 and 2019)
• Successive matches with a goal scored: 2 (2015-2019)
• Successive matches without scoring: 2 (2019)
• Successive clean sheets: 1 (2019 and 2023-present)

ZAMBIA TEAM FACTS

• Overall record: Play1, Win 0,  Draw 0, Lost 1, Goals For: 0, Goal Against: 5,  Goal Difference: -5
• Biggest win: Nil
• Biggest defeat: Zambia 0-5Japan (22/07/2023)
• Highest scoring match:5 goals – Zambia 0-5 Japan (22/07/2023)
• Most goals scored in a match: 0
• Most goals conceded in a match: 5 – Zambia 0-5 Japan (22/07/2023)
• Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0
• Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0
• Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 5 (2023 – 1 match)
• Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 5 (2023 – 1 match)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS

• Successive wins: 0
• Successive defeats: 1 (2023-present)
• Successive draws: 0
• Successive matches without a defeat: 0
• Successive matches without a win: 1 (2023-present)
• Successive matches with a goal scored: 0 Successive matches without scoring: 1 (2023-present)
• Successive clean sheets: 0