Spain and Japan qualify for Women's World Cup last 16

Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo both scored twice as Spain qualified for the last 16 of the Women's World Cup with a 5-0 win over Zambia on Wednesday, a result that also took Japan into the knockout phase.

The fit-again Alexia Putellas was handed a start by Spain coach Jorge Vilda and she played a part in early goals by Teresa Abelleira and Hermoso at Eden Park.

Substitute Redondo then scored twice in the second half, either side of another Hermoso goal, as Spain cruised to victory.

Reigning Ballon d'Or Putellas, who recently returned from more than nine months out with a serious knee injury, was taken off at half-time, with Vilda looking to preserve his star player for the Group C decider against Japan next Monday.

Hermoso, Spain’s all-time leading scorer, buried a header from a perfect cross from Putellas in the 13th minute. She then gathered a rebound and scored on an empty net in the 70th minute. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, then eventually confirmed after a lengthy review.

Abelleira launched a 58-mph strike from well outside the box in the ninth minute and beat Eunice Sakala to the top side of the net, her second goal for Spain.

Like Hermoso, Redondo also scored twice, in the 69th and 85th minutes. Her first goal was from an impressive run on to a long pass, while her second was a rebound in front of an empty net.

Costa Rica's midfielder Cristin Granados and Japan's Hikaru Naomoto fight for the ball. AFP

Spain’s attack benefitted from facing Zambia’s third-string goalkeeper. Eunice Sakala started after the first-choice goalie and her backup were injured and received a red card, respectively.

Meanwhile, two goals in two first-half minutes gave Japan a 2-0 win over Costa Rica at the Dunedin