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2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C

Group C of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup was one of eight groups that formed the opening round of the tournament with the matches played from 21 to 31 July 2023. The group consisted of Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia and Japan. The top two teams, Japan and Spain, advanced to the round of 16.

Japan secured their place in the knockout stage with wins in all three group games without conceding, a first for the country. With six points, Spain earned more points this year than in their previous Women's World Cups combined; a total of five across two editions. Despite being eliminated, debutants Zambia secured their first and only win in their last match against faltering Costa Rica, finishing third in the group.

Teams

Notes

Standings

In the round of 16:

The winners of Group C, Japan, advanced to play the runners-up of Group A, Norway.
The runners-up of Group C, Spain, advanced to play the winners of Group A, Switzerland.

Matches

All times listed are local, NZST (UTC+12).

Spain vs Costa Rica

Zambia vs Japan

Japan vs Costa Rica

Spain vs Zambia

Japan vs Spain

This match broke long-held FIFA records. Japan women's 23% of possession is the lowest for a winning side at the FIFA Women's World Cup since 2011. This is often compared to Japan 2-1 Spain in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Group E, which Japan's 18% of possession is the lowest for a winning side at the FIFA World Cup since 1966. Match statistics reflected Japan women was more incisive and efficient, with only 23% possession, their expected goal (xG) was 0.9 vs 0.7, shots attempted were 7 vs 10, shots on target were 5 vs 2, and goals scored were 4 vs 0.

The Spanish player Aitana Bonmatí reflected "[Japan had] a low block waiting for our mistakes and attacking on the counter, where they killed us". Spain's coach Jorge Vilda said he was surprised by the intensity of Japan’s pressing in the midfield.

Costa Rica vs Zambia

Discipline

Fair play points would have been used as tiebreakers in the group should the overall and head-to-head records of teams were tied. These were calculated based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches as follows:

first yellow card: minus 1 point;
indirect red card (second yellow card): minus 3 points;
direct red card: minus 4 points;
yellow card and direct red card: minus 5 points;

Only one of the above deductions was applied to a player in a single match.