Zambia beat Costa Rica 3-1 in historic win, as team exits FIFA Women’s World Cup

The Copper Queens have made history by recording a first ever victory at the FIFA Women’s World Cup at a Group C match played in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Despite the Copper Queens exiting the tournament after two successive defeats, a spirited display by She-polopolo ensured they earned the bragging rights against Costa Rica.

Zambia weathered a second half storm by a Costa Rica to hold on to a historic 3-1 victory over the South Americans.

The Copper Queens scored through defender Lushomo Mweemba in the third minute when she volleyed an Avell Chitundu corner to set the tone for an exciting encounter at the Waikato Stadium.

Mweemba made history on two fronts by scoring the quickest goal at the ongoing tournament as well as finding the back of the net for the Zambia for the first time ever at the World Cup.

In a dominant first half display by the Copper Queens, striker Barbara Banda converted a penalty kick after she was controversially judged to have been fouled in the box in the 33rd minute.

The goal was a milestone strike marking a historic 1,000th goal in FIFA women’s football.

In the second half, a resurgent Costa Rica cut the deficit early when Melissa Herrera bundled the ball home after goalkeeper Catherine Musonda was unable to deal with it.

Shortly after, Costa Rica appealed for a penalty when midfielder Priscila Chinchilla collided with Musonda in the box, but were denied after a lengthy VAR check when replays showed forward Sheika Scott was offside in the build-up.

Herrera thought she had equalised with around 20 minutes left before full time but her strike was ruled out for offside.

Costa Rica were determined to draw level but Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji scored from Banda’s cross which dealt a sucker punch for the South Americans, to seal a famous historic victory for the Copper Queens.

The win means Zambia finishes third with Costa Rica condemned to last spot, while Japan claimed the leadership of Group C by demolishing Spain 4 nil.

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