Japan vs Spain, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Preview, Prediction, Head-to-Head (h2h), Predicted Lineups, and More

With six points each, Japan and Spain have already secured their places in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout stages. Notwithstanding, a significant conflict between the sides in Wellington on Monday will decide the country that tops Group C.

The top two teams in Group C square off Monday in their final group-stage match at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and both desire to compete at the top to forge a simpler way. Spain and Japan have both secured spots in the knockout round by winning their initial two matches. The winner of the group will confront the Group A runner-up, while second place implies a matchup with the Group A winner. In the event of a draw, Spain would win the group because they lead in goal differential.

The final round of group-stage matches will see Japan Women take on Spain Women in Group C of the Women’s World Cup on Monday. Spain right now lead the group with a superior goal difference. The Spaniards got their competition looking magnificent so far, beating Costa Rica 3-0 in their opening match before proceeding to annihilate the Zambians 5-0 last Wednesday. With those outcomes, Spain are presently the highest-scoring team in the competition with eight, while they are likewise yet to yield a single goal. Assuming you think back over their outcomes in the development of the competition, Spain have not conceded a goal in their last six matches in all competitions and have scored 29 in that time. Spain lost only one of their last 15 matches in all contests and are the highest-ranked team in the group at 6th. This will be their greatest trial of the competition up to this point, yet they will want to keep hold of the best position heading into the knockout stages.

Japan, which is ranked 11th, is just one goal behind despite having a record that is nearly identical to that of their opponents. They opened their competition with a 5-0 over Zambia and followed that with a 2-0 win over Costa Rica last week. With those outcomes, Japan are the second-highest-scoring team up to this point and are on a three-match series of wins in all competitions, having beaten Panama 5-0 in a friendly match earlier this month. Over their last ten matches, Japan have won five and lost five, however, the entirety of their misfortunes were against higher-ranked adversaries. Japan finished second at the World Cup in 2015 after winning it in 2011. In any case, they have never beaten Spain in four past attempts, losing three and drawing one. Their most recent encounter ended 1-0 in a friendly match last year. The next round has already been qualified for these two teams.

One of the teams that experts believe will make it all the way, or at least make a deep run, is Spain, who are in flawless form. True to form, they have a 100 percent winning record such a long way in the group stages and are yet to surrender a single goal too. Truth be told, they have a joined scorecard of 8-0 from the past two fixtures in the group stages.

In the meantime, the Japanese are also in great form. They also have an ideal winning record till now, however, tragically their goal difference isn’t comparable to their counterparts for the day. As such they are placed second in the table, and they need a success this weekend to come to the top of the table.

Japan is as of now second in the group, posting a +7 goal difference with a surefire spot in the Round of 16. The Nadeshiko is expecting to raise back the trophy it won last 2011.

Spain has been a prevailing power in this World Cup, leading the group with a +8 goal differential. The Red Ones are trusting that their goal-scoring ability continues against the Asian giants.

Japan vs Spain, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Preview

There is little uncertainty that Spain and Japan have been the champion teams in Group C, and both have protected their spots in the round of 16 with a game in excess. Be that as it may, topping the group could have an immense effect as the competition progresses, as it would keep away from a possible standoff with Australia in the round of 16, and a likely match against the United States in the quarterfinals. 

Spain right now holds the benefit coming into the final round of matches in Group C, as the European country sits top of the standings courtesy of their superior goal difference.

In two World Cup matches, Spain has scored eight goals, and not one goal has been conceded. Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo each scored a brace in Wednesday’s rout of Zambia, which resulted in five of those goals. 

Japan will be unfazed going into this matchup against Spain because they will know that only a victory will keep them at the top of the standings. The Asian country has been one of the eye-getting countries across their opening two matches, after facilitating to a 5-0 win over Zambia and a 2-0 success over Costa Rica. 

They won the game against the latter with two goals in two minutes, which was a very professional performance. Yet, this will be the first big test looked at by the 2011 world champions. 

Under the management of Fatoshi Ikeda, Japan began well with two triumphs to nothing. They started with a 5-0 hammering of Zambia and afterward followed that up with a 2-0 win against Costa Rica.

Japan became world champions in 2011 and they are expected to dive deep into this World Cup yet any slant at the title appears to be impossible – though they have performed stunningly up until this point.

There are a lot of Spanish players missing from the squad because of the fallout last October between the playing staff and the coach at the time. Regardless of that, however, they stay one of the strongest teams in the competition and will hope to challenge for the trophy.

They started their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage with a 3-0 hammering of Costa Rica before following that up with, similar to Japan, a 5-0 loss of Zambia.

Japan vs Spain, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Head-to-head stats (h2h)

The Spaniards have won all official matches 100 percent of the time. Including one fixture, they have a 100% winning record in friendlies. Additionally, it should be noted that they scored two or more goals in all official matches.

Japan and Spain will meet for the first time at the World Cup, but the Asian nation hasn’t won either of their previous two games against European teams. Japan has not won a single match against Spain, but Spain has won three of the last four. Japan has yet to win a game.

When is Japan vs Spain on and what time does it begin?

Japan vs Spain will happen on Monday 31st July 2023 at 09:00 (UK).

Where is Japan vs Spain taking place?

The match between Japan and Spain will take place in Wellington, New Zealand, at Wellington Regional Stadium.

What channel is Japan vs Spain on in the UK?

Japan vs Spain will be broadcast live on ITV1.

Where can I stream Japan vs Spain in the UK?

Japan versus Spain will be streamed on ITVX.

Japan vs Spain, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Prediction

This will be a tremendous standoff to choose the group winners, and cases can be made for the two countries. We see the two teams tracking down the net in this match, yet the preference stays for Spain, who appear to possibly be starting to expose what’s underneath with regards to their max performance level.

They will take a cautious approach in this situation because both teams are certain to advance to the next round. The under-mark will be seen this time however Spain keeps up with its momentum and will barely edge Japan.

These two probably share the title of the “best” teams that have performed so far at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, despite playing against fairly weak opponents. The two sides have not exclusively been venturesome in attack yet they have additionally figured out how to hold consecutive clean sheets. Rotation might be in order and if that is the case we might get a considerably more entertaining and open game than expected. This ought to be a fun watch.

Spain are the highest-ranked team in the group by FIFA. They are likewise at the top of the group table, and they are on an eight-game series of wins. It should also be noted that their six previous games’ combined score is 29-0.

Then again, Japan lost five of their past ten overall fixtures, and in particular, they have a stressing h2h record against this enemy.

Japan vs Spain, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Predicted Lineups

JAPAN Predicted Lineup

PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Yamashita; Kumagai, Minami, Miyake; Hasegawa, Hayashi, Shimizu, Sugita; Fujino, Naomoto; Tanaka

UNAVAILABLE: –

QUESTIONABLE: –

SPAIN Predicted Lineup

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Rodriguez; Andres, Batlle, Carmona, Paredes; Abelleira, Bonmati, Putellas; Ayingono, Caldentey, Jenni, Paralluelo

UNAVAILABLE: –

QUESTIONABLE: –