Key events
76 min: Ueki has her first chance at a goal but it is thumped over the bar. Japan then have multiple chances to have another shot but it doesn’t come off. The team are utterly dominant now.
74 min: Kundananji makes a great run but she fouls a player in the box and Japan can clear. Lungu and Mapepa are off for Lubandji and Chitundu. Jaoan almost have a fifth but the header is straight at Musonda.
72 min: And with that goal this match is the highest scoring match of the tournament so far!
GOAL! Zambia 0-4 Japan (Endo, 71′)
Thoroughly deserved for Endo, this time she gets on the end of a good pass and she controls to beat the keeper.
71 min: Japan are patient in their build-up but Kundananji does well to win back the ball. Japan get it back quickly but Zambia do force them back to their own keeper.
69 min: Japan have a free kick in a good position. They opt to pass back before going forwards. The ball is popped in and Miyazawa almost has a hat-trick!
67 min: Zambia put about three or four good passes together and then they have a loose one to undo their good work. Japan make their first change with Tanaka off for Ueki.
66 min: Long balls continue to pepper the Zambia goal but Belemu does well to repel the latest chance.
64 min: Zambia were in this, holding on at 0-0. The defence was doing just enough with Japan not in their top gear. But Japan have found their feet and Zambia are tiring, the score could wrack up.
GOAL! Zambia 0-3 Japan (Miyazawa, 62′)
Tanaka crosses a good ball, a close call as to if the ball is out of play, but Miyazawa slots home. Musonda can’t get to it. VAR are happy.
60 min: Zambia can’t rely on one opportunity being able to level this game now, they have to try something to get back into this. Japan are doing well at containing B Banda so they need another tactic.
58 min: A great ball comes through for Fujino but she can’t get on the end of it, Japan were dominant in the first half but they have stepped it up a gear in the second. Fujino finds herself in a one-on-one with Musonda but her chance is over the bar.
56 min: That is Tanaka’s third time getting the ball into the net in this match but that is the only one to stand! Japan definitely deserve it.
GOAL! Zambia 0-2 Japan (Tanaka, 55′)
Endo crosses in and Tanaka slides into the ball to score! This one will stand.
55 min: Without affective VAR Japan could be 3-0 up right now! Two offside calls and a penalty chance overturned. I think they will find another goal but Zambia need to hit back.
53 min: Oh wow! No penalty, there is a Japan player offside in the build-up and so the penalty call has been overturned. The VAR is working really well in this tournament so far.
52 min: Musonda gets a yellow card after taking out Fujino and there is a penalty! There could be an offside in the build-up and so VAR are checking. Tense!
NO GOAL! Zambia 0-1 Japan (Tanaka, 50′)
Endo that is a delightful cross, bends it around all the Zambia defenders. Tanaka takes her time and finishes the chance. VAR reviews this though and Tanaka is offside! Wow.
49 min: Japan volley it into the box, Tanaka would have been offside so she leaves it but no one else can get a touch.
47 min: Zambia started threading some passes together but Japan quickly win the ball back. The World Cup debutants need to start being more free in their attack, they seem to be rushing and that leads to Japan winning it back.
Back underway! Zambia 0-1 Japan
Here we go then! Will Japan run away with this? Or can Zambia come back? 45 minutes until the final result.
Commentary are discussing Zambia players slipping, it was a common theme in the first half. It can’t be the surface as Japan players aren’t also slipping, so is it the boots? A change of footwear needed.
We are almost back underway here. The sense of this game is that Japan will take the win but the scoreboard could change!
Japan eventually broke the deadlock, take a look here (the clip is from the BBC and so some may not be able to view it)
A lot of discussions between the Zambia players as they head into the changing rooms for half-time. It is worth remembering Zambia do concede goals but they usually score too.
Half-time: Zambia 0-1 Japan
Endo hits the wall and that’s the half! Japan have been dominant and eventually made a goal stick after having a score from a free kick being overturned by VAR. Zambia have been good in defence but Japan have done well to keep B Banda at bay.
45 + 7 min: Tembo handballs and Japan have a free kick as the last play of the half.
45 + 5 min: Zambia having some sustained time on the ball, probably their longest time on the ball but Kundananji loses out. Alexandra has got in touch and said: “This is an increasingly high-quality match! Zambia have felt disorganised at some key (and plenty of non-key) moments – but they have every right to look for more than just “proving that they deserve to be here”, and I can’t wait to see how they react to being 0-1 down. Japan, meanwhile, look threateningly assured.” I agree, this is much closer than the other game in this group yesterday between Spain and Costa Rica. Zambia really in this.
45 + 3 min: Six minutes added on here. Zambia have a chance but B Banda can’t control on the edge of the box.
45 + 1 min: The minutes added have not been confirmed yet. Japan almost double their lead with Tanaka crossing to Shimizu but her shot isn’t on target.
45 min: Commetators curse, just as I say Japan haven’t been clinical and then they clinically finish a great play. Zambia will be so frustrated with that.
GOAL! Zambia 0-1 Japan (Miyazawa, 43′)
A cracking cross and a one touch finish. A lovely goal.
43 min: Japan’s final passes just aren’t coming off at the moment. They have all the right plays but the clinical edge is lacking. Zambia will be hugely happy if this remains 0-0 at half-time.
41 min: Musonda received some treatment ahead of the corner but she is okay to continue. The set piece came in but Zambia defend it really well and start a counter. It came to B Banda in the box but she can’t control and it’s out for a goal kick.
40 min: Katongo cuts out a chance for Tanaka, a great challenge to thwart momentum. WHAT A SAVE! It comes out to Nagano and she rifles a shot, it is deflected but Musonda tips it over the bar. Japan corner.
38 min: Tembo is receiving treatment on the sidelines and play gets back underway, Zambia playing temporarily with 10.
37 min: Japan takes the corner long, Minami pops the ball into the box but a shot doesn’t come. Tembo is once again down and this time there is a break in play.
36 min: Zambia have settled into this match, they are trying more passes going forward and are more confident in their defence. Japan do still have the upper hand but that could dwindle if the 0-0 continues. Fujino has a shot but it’s wide, it does take a deflection and Japan have a corner.
34 min: No the opener is not found. The ball is whipped in but it comes straight to Yamashita.
33 min: Hasegawa takes a shot from the edge of the box but it is well wide. Kundananji does so well to win a free kick in a great position, could this be the opener?
32 min: Musonda is getting my nerves going! She comes out again to collect and she doesn’t take it cleanly to begin with but eventually gets it under control. Lungu is fouled and Zambia have a free kick in their own half. Japan able to deal with it though.
30 min: The ball is sent in from far out but Mapepa gets it in the box, B Banda is inches away from collecting. Japan then counter and Endo gets a cross in, Tanaka can’t get her shot on target.