Japan crushes Spain in the 2023 Women's World Cup

*Score: Miyazawa 12' 40', Ueki 29', Tanaka 82'.

Before the final match, both were sure to advance. The correlation of the two sides is also similar, when the same six points and have not conceded any goals. Spain ranked first by scoring more than one goal (8 versus 7).

However, what happened on the Sky field caused unexpected results.

Japan controlled the ball only 23%, launching 272 passes compared to Spain's 934. But, they scored four goals from eight shots, at 50% efficiency, and the opponent finished 10 times and not once succeeded. Accepting a solid defense, Japan made the difference with the counter-attacking ability of the trio of Hinata Miyazawa, Hikaru Naomoto and Riko Ueki.

In the 12th minute, captain Saki Kumagai tackled the ball beautifully, creating an opportunity for Jun Endo to throw a quick pass behind the Spanish defense. Miyazawa jumped up to face goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez, hitting a shot into the left corner to open the score.

By the 29th minute, the gap was doubled. Miyazawa shot the ball from the middle of the field and then passed it to the left wing to Riko Ueki. No. 9 turned inside and changed direction with a right footed shot that touched Irene Paredes. The ball is out of reach of goalkeeper Misa. The same scenario came in the 40th minute. Only Ueki assisted, and Miyazawa finished to lead the scorer list in the 2023 Women's World Cup with four goals.

Spain was somewhat stunned after three goals from all three counter-attacks by Japan.

In the second half, coach Jorge Vilda tried to make a substitution to create freshness, but the players still lacked elegance. In the 82nd minute, the substitute Mina Tanaka broke through from the right wing straight into the penalty area, cutting the left foot into the high corner to seal a 4-0 victory.

In the 1/8 round, Japan met the second place in Group A, Norway, and Spain met Switzerland.

Japan: Ayaka Yamashita, Moeka Minami, Saki Kumagai, Hana Takahashi, Risa Shimizu, Fuka Nagano, Jun Endo, Honoka Hayashi, Hinata Miyazawa, Hikaru Naomoto, Riko Ueki

Spain: Misa Rodriguez, Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Olga Carmona, Rocio Galvez, Tesera Abelleira, Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas, Mariona Caldentey, Jennifer Hermoso, Salma Paralluelo.