The second day of the World Cup group stage has already begun. This Wednesday at 09:30 Spanish time, the spotlight is on the Spanish squad as they face Zambia in a bid to secure a place in the knockout rounds.
Relating to
- Jorge Vilda: “The tuning is achieved through repetition”
- Bruce Mwape addressed the press before Spain – Zambia
- Results for today’s 25th July 2023 Women’s World Cup
To accomplish that goal, Spain must collect three points against a side that has shown it can complicate matches. In their final tune-up before the tournament, Zambia stunned one of the heavyweights by beating Germany 3-2, despite entering the competition with a lower FIFA ranking at 77. They also suffered a 0-5 defeat to Japan in their opener, underscoring the challenge they present.
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Without trust
Spain enters as strong favorites, even after a dominant start to the tournament. The team took control against Costa Rica with a 3-0 result and is intent on maintaining a higher level of scoring as the group progresses. Coaches and players have emphasized sharpening finishing and precision throughout the week, aiming to win against Zambia and press for top spot in the group.
Zambia will seek to disrupt Spain’s rhythm with a solid defensive setup, relying on quick transitions and disciplined defending to stifle the Spanish attack while launching counterattacks from a deep position.
Two known threats
Two players stand out for Zambia and will demand close attention: a Madrid CFF striker who sits near the top of the league’s scorers and contributed to a recent league defeat for a major club, and the team captain who plays for Shanghai Shengli. The captain previously featured for Logroño and remains a focal point for the team’s attack. Ahead of the World Cup, she highlighted lessons from a prior match and stressed the need to stay focused to avoid repeating mistakes.
Another key question is whether Alexia Putellas will take the field from the start or come on as a substitute. The coach noted that the two-time Ballon d’Or winner finished training with strong signs and, while the desire to see him play from the opening whistle is there, there is also a desire to manage his minutes given the demanding schedule ahead.