AUSTRALIA – The Costa Rican Women’s National Team played their final match in Group C of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup against Zambia at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, Australia, in which La Sele saw defeat against the Cooper Queens 3-1.
Both Costa Rica and Zambia were already eliminated from the tournament, however, a first win in a Women’s World Cup was on the line.
Zambia took an early 1-0 lead in the 3’ from a corner kick, as DF Lushomo Mweemba volleyed in to score the first ever goal for her team in a Women’s World Cup.
Costa Rica captain and MF Katherine Alvarado committed a foul in the area on Zambia star striker Barbara Banda while trying to stop her, resulting in the referee calling a penalty in the 31’. Banda not only scored for Zambia to make it 2-0, but also scored the 1,000th goal all-time in the Women’s World Cup.
After Maria Paula Coto struck the crossbar with a header in the 41’, Costa Rica managed to pull one back, 2-1, in the 47’ thanks to the services of MF Melissa Herrera, as she took advantage of the problems in the Zambian defense and pushed the ball to the back of the net. This was the first goal for Costa Rica at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Herrera almost gave her team the equalizer in the 69’ when she found a spot to beat Zambia’s defensive line, however, her efforts were called offside.
Although Las Ticas tried to even things out, it was Zambia who capitalized on their chances, FW Racheal Kundananji scoring the third goal in the 90+3’, scoring off a pass from Banda.
This result brings Costa Rica's World Cup journey to an end, concluding their second participation on the biggest stage of women’s football.