Well thank you so much for joining me for this historic match! Zambia’s first at a World Cup and Japan’s biggest win at a World Cup. You can catch up with all the action below. I will be back with Denmark v China later today but make sure you keep up with England v Haiti, the game is currently 0-0 after five minutes.
Miyazawa scored two in this match and Sophia Smith also scored two earlier for the US and so the Golden Boot battle has begun! You can keep up to date with that race:
England v Haiti is about to get underway, keep up to date here:
The context of this result is also important. Zambia made their World Cup debut today while Japan won the tournament in 2011 and were runners-up in 2015.
The scoreline means it is Japan’s biggest win at a Women’s World Cup ever! A huge result and they could top their group if they can overcome Spain.
Fara Williams has just made a great point about that Zambia red card. Musonda’s initial yellow card came from a challenge which sparked a penalty call but the call was overturned by VAR and so should Musonda’s yellow also have been recinded? If so Musonda would not have been sent off. I hope FIFA review it.
England’s campaign will get underway in just over 20 minutes against Haiti, our live coverage has started already:
Every single game of the World Cup has featured a penalty! Surely this is the longest run of penalties in matches? Seven so far!
Full time: Zambia 0-5 Japan
Zambia’s defence was doing enough in the first half but Japan eventually got their opener and just went from strength to strength. Endo and Tanaka particular highlights of their game. Japan’s match against Spain later in this group will be such an interesting battle.
PENALTY! Zambia 0-5 Japan (Ueki, 90+11)
Ueki gets it in a controlled finish. Heartbreak for Sakala.
Updated
90 + 10 min: Oh my god! Sakala has done enough to repel the penalty! Ueki smacks the cross bar and comes back to the grass but Japan cannot convert. First touch in international football and it is a penalty save! But another twist!! Sakala moved too quickly – WOW.
90 + 9 min: Sakala is on for her debut in Musonda’s place. What a moment to make her debut!
RED CARD! Zambia 0-4 Japan (Musonda 90+7')
Musonda takes out the final player again! She had a yellow card earlier in the game for a similar incident and now she is off. Penalty to come.
Updated
90 + 6 min: Japan have a corner, they take it short but eventually they get it into the box and it floats in front of goal! That was so close to a fifth.
90 + 5 min: Japan make another change with Cheir on, replacing Miyazawa. Musonda makes a save with Seike taking a punt.
90 + 3 min: Zambia are starting to put more promising attacking play together. Their fans are still chanting the nations name. S Banda is down injured but she doesn’t need treatment.
90 + 1 min: There will be seven minutes added on here.
90 min: Japan are just running out this game now, controlled ball and high press defence. A comfortable victory for them in the end and if they were more clinical in the first half this score could have been huge.
88 min: Seike gets in a great position but Zambia do well to close the chance down.
86 min: Ueki has a good chance but it goes wide. A great cross in the box from Zambia and it comes to B Banda but Japan swarm her and she can’t do anything with the opportunity.
84 min: S Banda takes it short, it comes back to her and she attempts to cross but it hits the side netting.
83 min: Mweemba is being replaced by Phiri so Zambia are back to 11. B Banda gets the ball on the edge of the box and she wins a corner.
82 min: Zambia are having a good time of possession while Mweemba receives treatment on the sidelines. Japan eventually win it back and are on the attack again.
80 min: Musonda coming out of goal has seen her injure one of her teammates and now Zambia have to defend a corner with 10. They do defend it well this time, they remain with 10 though for now.
78 min: Japan make more changes with Fujino and Endo off. Tembo does so well to deny Japan a fifth goal, Musonda comes out of goal and doesn’t collect. The ball is punted at the goal but Tembo clears it off the line!
76 min: Ueki has her first chance at a goal but it is thumped over the bar. Japan then have multiple chances to have another shot but it doesn’t come off. The team are utterly dominant now.
74 min: Kundananji makes a great run but she fouls a player in the box and Japan can clear. Lungu and Mapepa are off for Lubandji and Chitundu. Jaoan almost have a fifth but the header is straight at Musonda.
72 min: And with that goal this match is the highest scoring match of the tournament so far!
GOAL! Zambia 0-4 Japan (Endo, 71')
Thoroughly deserved for Endo, this time she gets on the end of a good pass and she controls to beat the keeper.
Updated
71 min: Japan are patient in their build-up but Kundananji does well to win back the ball. Japan get it back quickly but Zambia do force them back to their own keeper.
69 min: Japan have a free kick in a good position. They opt to pass back before going forwards. The ball is popped in and Miyazawa almost has a hat-trick!
67 min: Zambia put about three or four good passes together and then they have a loose one to undo their good work. Japan make their first change with Tanaka off for Ueki.
Updated
66 min: Long balls continue to pepper the Zambia goal but Belemu does well to repel the latest chance.
64 min: Zambia were in this, holding on at 0-0. The defence was doing just enough with Japan not in their top gear. But Japan have found their feet and Zambia are tiring, the score could wrack up.
GOAL! Zambia 0-3 Japan (Miyazawa, 62')
Tanaka crosses a good ball, a close call as to if the ball is out of play, but Miyazawa slots home. Musonda can’t get to it. VAR are happy.
Updated
60 min: Zambia can’t rely on one opportunity being able to level this game now, they have to try something to get back into this. Japan are doing well at containing B Banda so they need another tactic.
58 min: A great ball comes through for Fujino but she can’t get on the end of it, Japan were dominant in the first half but they have stepped it up a gear in the second. Fujino finds herself in a one-on-one with Musonda but her chance is over the bar.
56 min: That is Tanaka’s third time getting the ball into the net in this match but that is the only one to stand! Japan definitely deserve it.
GOAL! Zambia 0-2 Japan (Tanaka, 55')
Endo crosses in and Tanaka slides into the ball to score! This one will stand.
Updated
55 min: Without affective VAR Japan could be 3-0 up right now! Two offside calls and a penalty chance overturned. I think they will find another goal but Zambia need to hit back.
53 min: Oh wow! No penalty, there is a Japan player offside in the build-up and so the penalty call has been overturned. The VAR is working really well in this tournament so far.
52 min: Musonda gets a yellow card after taking out Fujino and there is a penalty! There could be an offside in the build-up and so VAR are checking. Tense!
Updated
NO GOAL! Zambia 0-1 Japan (Tanaka, 50')
Endo that is a delightful cross, bends it around all the Zambia defenders. Tanaka takes her time and finishes the chance. VAR reviews this though and Tanaka is offside! Wow.
49 min: Japan volley it into the box, Tanaka would have been offside so she leaves it but no one else can get a touch.
47 min: Zambia started threading some passes together but Japan quickly win the ball back. The World Cup debutants need to start being more free in their attack, they seem to be rushing and that leads to Japan winning it back.
Back underway! Zambia 0-1 Japan
Here we go then! Will Japan run away with this? Or can Zambia come back? 45 minutes until the final result.
Commentary are discussing Zambia players slipping, it was a common theme in the first half. It can’t be the surface as Japan players aren’t also slipping, so is it the boots? A change of footwear needed.
We are almost back underway here. The sense of this game is that Japan will take the win but the scoreboard could change!
Japan eventually broke the deadlock, take a look here (the clip is from the BBC and so some may not be able to view it)
Hinata Miyazawa scored Japan's first goal of the 2023 #FIFAWWC just two minutes before half-time.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 22, 2023
Although the score suggests otherwise, Japan have dominated the first half against Zambia.
🖥💻📱 Watch the match live on @BBCTwo and @BBCiPlayer now #FIFAWWC #ZAM #JPN pic.twitter.com/wS2FOrIcXg
A lot of discussions between the Zambia players as they head into the changing rooms for half-time. It is worth remembering Zambia do concede goals but they usually score too.
Half-time: Zambia 0-1 Japan
Endo hits the wall and that’s the half! Japan have been dominant and eventually made a goal stick after having a score from a free kick being overturned by VAR. Zambia have been good in defence but Japan have done well to keep B Banda at bay.
Updated
45 + 7 min: Tembo handballs and Japan have a free kick as the last play of the half.
45 + 5 min: Zambia having some sustained time on the ball, probably their longest time on the ball but Kundananji loses out. Alexandra has got in touch and said: “This is an increasingly high-quality match! Zambia have felt disorganised at some key (and plenty of non-key) moments - but they have every right to look for more than just “proving that they deserve to be here”, and I can’t wait to see how they react to being 0-1 down. Japan, meanwhile, look threateningly assured.” I agree, this is much closer than the other game in this group yesterday between Spain and Costa Rica. Zambia really in this.
45 + 3 min: Six minutes added on here. Zambia have a chance but B Banda can’t control on the edge of the box.
45 + 1 min: The minutes added have not been confirmed yet. Japan almost double their lead with Tanaka crossing to Shimizu but her shot isn’t on target.
45 min: Commetators curse, just as I say Japan haven’t been clinical and then they clinically finish a great play. Zambia will be so frustrated with that.
GOAL! Zambia 0-1 Japan (Miyazawa, 43')
A cracking cross and a one touch finish. A lovely goal.
Updated
43 min: Japan’s final passes just aren’t coming off at the moment. They have all the right plays but the clinical edge is lacking. Zambia will be hugely happy if this remains 0-0 at half-time.
41 min: Musonda received some treatment ahead of the corner but she is okay to continue. The set piece came in but Zambia defend it really well and start a counter. It came to B Banda in the box but she can’t control and it’s out for a goal kick.
40 min: Katongo cuts out a chance for Tanaka, a great challenge to thwart momentum. WHAT A SAVE! It comes out to Nagano and she rifles a shot, it is deflected but Musonda tips it over the bar. Japan corner.
38 min: Tembo is receiving treatment on the sidelines and play gets back underway, Zambia playing temporarily with 10.
37 min: Japan takes the corner long, Minami pops the ball into the box but a shot doesn’t come. Tembo is once again down and this time there is a break in play.
36 min: Zambia have settled into this match, they are trying more passes going forward and are more confident in their defence. Japan do still have the upper hand but that could dwindle if the 0-0 continues. Fujino has a shot but it’s wide, it does take a deflection and Japan have a corner.
34 min: No the opener is not found. The ball is whipped in but it comes straight to Yamashita.
33 min: Hasegawa takes a shot from the edge of the box but it is well wide. Kundananji does so well to win a free kick in a great position, could this be the opener?
32 min: Musonda is getting my nerves going! She comes out again to collect and she doesn’t take it cleanly to begin with but eventually gets it under control. Lungu is fouled and Zambia have a free kick in their own half. Japan able to deal with it though.
30 min: The ball is sent in from far out but Mapepa gets it in the box, B Banda is inches away from collecting. Japan then counter and Endo gets a cross in, Tanaka can’t get her shot on target.
28 min: That was risky from Musonda, she came out of goal and punches the ball away. Tembo is okay to continue I believe. Zambia now have a free kick.
26 min: Well VAR ruling out the goal has not stopped Japan’s attack, Fujino crosses in and it the cross is almost in itself! Tembo was down and received treatment after a slip, she is still receiving treatment but play continues.
24 min: That is huge for Zambia, they had done a great job of repelling Japan and it looked to have been a well worked set piece. It will be interesting to see how this impacts both teams.
NO GOAL! Zambia 0-0 Japan
Wow! There is a player offside and we are back to a deadlock. I love we can hear the referee addressing the stadium.
Updated
22 min: Oh hang on, there is a VAR check here. Was Tanaka offside?
GOAL! Zambia 0-1 Japan (Tanaka, 21)
Japan have a free kick and Endo whips in a great ball. Tanaka controls and hits home, a great, well worked goal.
Updated
20 min: Japan have a corner after Belemu cuts out a cross. It comes in but the ball has a lot on it, it floats over the heads of all the players and it’s out for a Zambia throw in. A wasted opportunity there.
18 min: It will be interesting to see Japan’s match against Spain as both teams play such possession-based football, the tussle will be fascinating to see. Back to this match and it is Japan who continue to have the lion share of the ball.
16 min: Japan are threading some lovely players together, this time with Nagano popping the ball up. It had a tad too much on it and Musonda can collect.
14 min: It is a strong start from Zambia, it’s their first ever World Cup match and they’ve already made an amazing save. All they need is a bit more possession to thread some attack together. Tanaka gets in a good position and takes a shot but Musonda collects.
13 min: Possession is exchanging hands quite frequently at the moment, a slightly fragmented game.
11 min: Woah! Japan smack the woodwork, Musonda went to save it but I think that would have gone in had it been on target. Japan have really come to life in the past few minutes.
10 min: Tanaka makes a great run to cross in but it doesn’t reach a teammate! Sue has got in touch and corrected me of the stadium’s location, it is in Hamilton not Wellington. Apologies for that, the caffeine must not have kicked in yet!
8 min: Endo tries to link with Tanaka but the play doesn’t come off, the ball does eventually come to Tanaka but her shot is way over the bar. Endo gets a great cross in and it ends at Fujino’s feet but Musonda makes a fantastic save! The resulting corner is dealt with by the keeper.
6 min: Endo has a misplaced pass, this game is slightly stop start in the early stages. Japan look like the stronger team but have not had a shooting opportunity yet. S Banda gets the ball to the edge of the box to find Mapepa but Japan thwart the chance.
4 min: Tanaka makes a good long range pass to ignite a Japanese attack, Hasegawa get a great ball in the box but Zambia’s defence remains defiant. But here come Zambia through B Banda, who else, but she loses out.
2 min: Japan already into the box but Zambia deal with it well, lofting it clear. Both teams finding their feet in the early stages.
Kick-off! Zambia 0-0 Japan
The match has started. Can Zambia cause an upset? Or will Japan run to victory? We will soon find out.
The stadium in Wellington looks packed out, it should have a great atmosphere! This is the first time Zambia and Japan have ever played each other in the women’s game. WE are almost underway!
The teams are out on the pitch and the anthems will shortly follow! Hhh uuu has emailed and said: “How often does it happen that the names of the players in the line-up of both teams end in a vowel?” I didn’t even notice this! Very observant.
I always get so emotional watching any sport montage and the BBC have just shown Japan’s World Cup winning run in 2011, what a run! An amazing final that went to penalties. They come up against World Cup debutants today so Japan will be favourites. However, Zambia beat Germany ahead of the tournament!
A story which shows there is still a long way to go in women’s football:
We have created a guide for each of the 736 players at the World Cup. You can click through on the links below to view any star you would like. Here is a player from each team who could influence today’s match:
I went to watch the new Barbie movie last night, it was amazing, and the memes on social media have got me thinking about which players in the World Cup would see Barbie and which would choose Oppenheimer instead. For example I think US’ Megan Rapinoe would watch Oppenheimer but England’s Ella Toone would choose Barbie. Let me know what you think via Twitter or email.
Here is some information on the people behind the Japan team: “The coach who led Japan to glory at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in 2018, Futoshi Ikeda has chosen several of his former players for the senior national team this year. His professional playing career as a defender lasted four years, all spent with Urawa Reds, while as a manager he is known for his cheery personality and passionate leadership. The players have bestowed upon him the nickname Atsuo, meaning “fiery man”, and they are strongly supportive of their manager. The striker Mina Tanaka said: “He always finds the right words to send us on to the pitch full of bravery and confidence.”” Read our full Japan guide:
A fun fact from our guide to Zambia: “Banda, the Copper Queens captain, was a professional boxer with Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotion from 2015 to 2017. She competed in the bantamweight division five times, winning all of her fights, four by knockout.” Read the full guide:
Defending champions the US took on Vietnam earlier today and won 3-0. A penalty was missed in the game and so the trend continues – every game so far at the World Cup has featured a penalty. We have all the action for you to catch up on ahead of Zambia v Japan:
The team news is here! A reminder that this will be the first World Cup Zambia will take part in.
Zambia XI: Musonda; Mweemba, Belemu, Tembo, Musesa; S Banda, Katongo, Lungu, Kunadananji; B Banda, Mapepa.
Japan XI: Yamashita; Minami, Kumagai, Ishikawa; Shimizu, Mayazawa, Nagano, Endo, Hasegawa; Tanaka, Fujino.
I am just tracking down the team news, while you wait for the update have you been checking up with the transfers across the women’s leagues this summer? We have you covered! There have been over 300 so far, check it out:
Preamble
Good morning, afternoon or evening depending where you are in the world! We have an intriguing match coming up between Zambia and Japan as both teams start their campaign.
The nations are in Group C along with Spain and Costa Rica. Yesterday Spain displayed what they could do with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica. With such a strong performance it is difficult to picture Spain not making the knock-out stages which makes the group matches not involving Jorge Vilda’s side intriguing as only two teams will progress to the last 16.
Japan have won the World Cup before, in 2011, but they come against Zambia – a side who have ruffled feathers in the build-up as they defeated Germany 3-2. And so this is set to be quite the match, the teams have revealed their team news ahead of kick-off at 8am BST/5pm AEST/7pm local time.
I’ll bring you all of those updates and others from different matches being played in the tournament today. I’ll also highlight some players you should keep an eye on throughout the match.
