MATCH REPORT | The national team charges into the last 16 with another flawless performance (5-0)

For the second time in history, Spain will reach the last 16 of a Women's World Cup and for the first time the national team has achieved this with a match to spare.

A feat achieved this Wednesday in Auckland, but one that comes on the back of an unblemished record with a winning record in the European qualifiers and a clean sheet so far in the World Cup.

This time Zambia we’re the victims of the Spanish talent, with Alexia returning to a line-up that had Mariona at right-back and Jenni as the attacking focal point in her 100th game for the national team.

As soon as the ball was rolling, Jorge Vilda's side were on the front foot thanks to their quick transitions and the constant contribution down the flanks, where Salma soon had the first big chance of the game.

The goals, like against Costa Rica, came in clusters. Firstly, Tere Abelleira's weaving run down the left saw her finish off with an unstoppable right-footed shot into the top corner of Eunice Sakala's net after just ten minutes.

Four minutes later, Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso linked up well and the Catalan crossed and the Madrid-born player headed the ball home to make it 2-0 and give Spain a bit of breathing room.

The double blow spurred on the Africans, who began to make the most of the dizzying speed of their strikers, with Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji attacking relentlessly against the assured and solid Spanish defence.

The pattern continued in the second half with changes in the ranks of a team in constant search of better goal difference compared to Japan.

This was finally achieved with another goal-scoring effort from Alba Redondo and Jennifer Hermoso, this one ruled legal by VAR...

The icing on the cake of Spain's display in their second World Cup match, which also returned Jorge Vilda's side to the top of the group, came from Alba Redondo after a piece of magnificent control inside the area, making it 5-0.