Hinata Miyazawa Scores twice Japan beat Spain 4-0 reached knock out stage at 2023 Women's World Cup
Japan showed why they are serious contenders at the Women's World Cup by hammering Spain to finish top of Group C and book a last-16 showdown with Norway.
The 2011 world champions made it look easy by scoring three times before half-time, with Hinata Miyazawa getting two to take her tally to four goals and become the tournament's leading scorer.
The attacking midfielder put Japan ahead with a calm finish after Spain's defence had been exposed, before Riko Ueki doubled the lead with a deflected finish which looped into the net.
Miyazawa, who scored two in Japan's opening group game against Zambia, made it 3-0 by firing across goal and into the net in front of a crowd of 20,957.
Substitute Mina Tanaka added to Spain's pain with a fourth goal in the 82nd minute.
WHAT'S NEXT
Japan will stay in Wellington, where they will meet Norway, the 1995 world champions, on Saturday at 09:00 BST.
Group runners-up Spain head to Auckland, where they will play Switzerland at Eden Park on Saturday at 06:00.
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