The Zambia women’s national team ended their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign with a historic 3-1 win over Costa Rica in their Group C encounter in Hamilton on Monday.
The Copper Queens were knocked out of the competition with back-to-back defeats against Japan and Spain, the same fate befalling the Las Ticas.
Both the Zambians and Costa Ricans were playing for pride at the Waikato Stadium and the southern African country take took the lead in the third minute via Lushomo Mweemba for their first-ever World Cup goal.
MORE RECORDS: Barbra Banda's goal is the 1,000th goal to be scored at the FIFA Women's World Cup. #FIFAWWC #FIFAWomensWorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/2qv9xDBpJ0
— FAZ (@FAZFootball) July 31, 2023
It became 2-0 to Bruce Mwape’s ladies in the 31st minute when star forward Barbra Banda scored from the penalty spot. It was also the 1000th goal scored at the Women’s World Cup which began 32 years ago.
Costa Rica pulled one back just two minutes into the second half through Melissa Herrera but Zambia would have one more say in the game courtesy of Racheal Kundananji who was assisted by Banda in the third minute of nine additional minutes.
#FIFAWWC #fifawomensworldcup2023
Zambia’s World Cup run ends with a win. pic.twitter.com/EWnb7UpnpY
— FAZ (@FAZFootball) July 31, 2023
The victory sees Zambia finish above the Costa Ricans in third place.
The other Group C game saw 2011 world champions Japan thump a solid Spain side 4-0 at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
