Women's World Cup 2023: What to expect on Day 7

The Republic of Ireland return to action on Wednesday when they face Olympic champions Canada in a crucial match in Perth.

Elsewhere high-flying Japan and Spain will be eager to build on dominant opening wins by securing knockout berths with a game to spare. Japan face Costa Rica in Dunedin while Spain take on Zambia at Eden Park.

Japan have advanced to the knockout stages of the last three Women's World Cups, winning the tournament in 2011 and finishing as runners-up four years later, and they are in control of their own fate after cruising to a 5-0 win over Zambia in their first Group C match.

Japan are heavy favourites to make it two wins from two against Costa Rica, who lost 3-0 to Spain in their opening match, but coach Futoshi Ikeda has warned against complacency.

"We're getting used to the World Cup," he said. "I think we could bring out more, but we don't want to be too complacent so they hit us when we're not looking."

Japan forward Maika Hamano remains an injury doubt.

Spain coach Jorge Vilda was similarly cautious despite a dominant opening display, where they scored three goals inside the first 30 minutes against Costa Rica and had 12 attempts on target.

If both Spain and Japan win, they will secure the two qualifying berths in Group C and their meeting in Wellington on Monday will decide the top spot.

"I'm expecting a [Zambia] team that's going to defend well and is going to be very, very dangerous on the counter-attack," Vilda said.

"Tomorrow won't be an easy game at all."

Both Canada and Ireland have a point to prove in Perth after disappointing results in their opening games.

Ireland were frustrated to leave empty-handed from their match with co-hosts Australia while Canada missed a penalty in a goalless draw with