After losing their first two games – defeated 5-0 by both Japan and Spain, they rallied to dispatch Costa Rica 3-1 on Monday to end their inaugural World Cup on a high.
It was a rapid start from Zambia, who scored their first-ever goal at a World Cup after just three minutes.
Their win was notable for other reasons, too: defender Lushomo Mweemba scored the fastest goal of this World Cup so far, volleying home a corner inside the opening three minutes, while Barbara Banda’s 31st minute penalty was the 1000th goal in tournament history.
Zambia scored the 1,000th goal in Women’s World Cup history on their way to an historic first-ever win at the tournament. The lowest-ranked side in this tournament came out on top against Costa Rica, winning 3-1.
These two teams had already been dumped out of the tournament before their clash in Hamilton, but both nations were keen to play for pride and record a win.
Lushomo Mweemba raced in front of her marker to meet a corner with a sumptuous volley which she guided over the head of Costa Rica goalkeeper Daniela Solera.
Things got better for Zambia just after the half an hour mark when a controversial penalty was awarded after Barbra Banda was adjudged to have been fouled, when it looked as though her foot slipped as she attempted to take a shot on goal.
The Zambia captain got back to her feet to slot the ball into the bottom left-hand corner and score the 1,000th goal in Women’s World Cup history.
Costa Rica pushed to get themselves back into the game before the break, and with the whistle fast approaching they watched their best chance come back off the crossbar, with Maria Coto’s header being kept out by the woodwork.
Amelia Valverde’s team started the second half as quickly as they ended the first, and they halved the deficit after just two minutes of the restart.
Zambia goalkeeper Catherine Musonda failed to deal with a corner as she challenged with Valeria del Campo, and the ball eventually fell into the net via the midriff of Melissa Herrera.
VAR denied Costa Rica the chance to equalise from the penalty spot after an offside was spotted in the build-up to a foul by Musonda on Priscila Chinchilla in the box.
Zambia goalkeeper Catherine Musonda failed to deal with a corner as she challenged with Valeria del Campo, and the ball eventually fell into the net via the midriff of Melissa Herrera.
VAR denied Costa Rica the chance to equalise from the penalty spot after an offside was spotted in the build-up to a foul by Musonda on Priscila Chinchilla in the box.
Zambia were let off once more when the offside flag saved them after Herrera fired in from a tight angle after a quick break.
Despite Costa Rica continuing to push for a leveller, Zambia sealed a memorable victory in stoppage time with Racheal Kundananji slotting past Solera following a delicious reverse pass from Banda.
Zambia finished 3rd in Group C with three points while Costa Rica were at the bottom of the table without a win.
Source: GraphicOnline
