Spain coach, Jorge Vilda, warned there is more to come from his side after they thrashed Zambia 5-0 to progress to the last 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup with a game to spare.
Jenni Hermoso and Alba Redondo both scored twice as the Spanish secured a second successive win at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Spain have scored eight goals so far without reply, underlining their credentials as potential World Cup winners, but Vilda insists his side can play even better.
Spain play Japan on Monday, 31 July in a game that will decide the Group C winner, and Vilda said: “We haven’t seen the best version of Spain that is absolutely clear.
Spain opened their campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win against Costa Rica last week, having a total of 46 shots on goal.
They picked up where they left off against Zambia, racing into a ninth-minute lead when Teresa Abelleira drove in a stunning strike from distance.
Hermoso doubled the lead just four minutes later, heading home a cross on her 100th appearance for her country.
Redondo then rounded the goalkeeper in the second half before Hermoso scored her 50th international goal late on after a lengthy video assistant referee check.
Hermoso almost had a hat-trick soon after but her shot was pushed on to the crossbar, but Spain got their fifth when Redondo drove home in the final few minutes.
The victory also ensured Japan – who beat Costa Rica 2-0 earlier on Thursday – also progress. Spain are currently ahead of Japan on goal difference and a draw with them on Monday will secure first place for Vilda’s side. —BBC
