LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Zambia have won their first match at the Women’s World Cup, defeating Costa Rica 3-1 at Waikato Stadium even though both sides were already eliminated from contention for the knockout round.
With Japan winning Group C following their 4-0 demolition of Spain, Zambia, whose first two games ended in 5-0 thrashings, placed third. With 0 points earned in their three games, Costa Rica came in last place.
At two minutes and eleven seconds, defender Lushomo Mweemba scored the tournament’s quickest goal with an incredible volleyed attempt, and captain Barbra Banda extended the advantage just after the halfway point with a penalty kick.
Zambia was given the penalty kick when Banda was brought down within the six-yard box, and the forward stepped up to calmly score the 1,000th goal in Women’s World Cup history by putting the ball into the bottom left corner.
Playing in their second World Cup, Costa Rica was still looking for their first victory in the tournament.
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Melissa Herrera halved the deficit early in the second half after goalkeeper Catherine Musonda was unable to clear the ball.
After a protracted VAR review, it was determined that striker Sheika Scott was offside in the buildup when midfielder Priscila Chinchilla collided with Musonda in the area, despite Costa Rica’s appeals for a penalty.
With around 20 minutes left, Herrera again had the ball in the net but was adjudged to be in the wrong place.
Valeria Del Campo then missed the target before, against all odds, Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji scored from Banda’s cross in stoppage time to secure a historic victory.