Preview: Costa Rica Women vs. Zambia Women - prediction, team news, lineups

There will only be pride to play for when Costa Rica Women go head-to-head with Zambia Women at Waikato Stadium on Monday.

The two nations have already been eliminated from the Women's World Cup 2023 after losing their opening two games.

Match preview

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Costa Rica's second Women's World Cup campaign will end in a group-stage exit after failing to trouble Spain and Japan in their first two matches.

A 3-0 defeat to La Roja on Matchday One was followed by a 2-0 loss to Japan on Wednesday, leaving Costa Rica in third place and with no chance of making it to the knockout rounds.

After picking up two points in their only previous appearance at the Women's World Cup in 2015, Costa Rica are still searching for their first win at the tournament.

They will be hoping to break their duck in their final group game, but their recent form suggests that they may have their work cut out, having won just one of their last 13 matches.

However, the FIFA World Rankings suggest that Costa Rica may go into Monday's contest as favourites, with Las Ticas ranked 41 places above Zambia.

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Zambia, meanwhile, have struggled to produce their best form at their first-ever appearance at a Women's World Cup finals.

After suffering 5-0 defeats to both Japan and Spain, the Copper Queens are left languishing at the bottom of Group C.

While their hopes of making the knockout rounds are over, Zambia will be hoping to claim their first win at a Women's World Cup.

They will at the very least be looking to find the net, and they can draw inspiration from the fact that they scored eight goals in their final three matches prior to the tournament.

However, they will need to show an improvement at the other end of the pitch, having shipped 18 goals in their last five games.

Team News

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Gloriana Villalobos is expected to return to the Costa Rica side after dropping down to the bench for the defeat to Japan.

The 23-year-old is set to start in central midfield alongside Cristin Granados, while Katherine Alvarado and Melissa Herrera are expected to feature out wide.

Priscilla Chinchilla, who spent the last two seasons with Glasgow City, will continue to operate in the front two alongside Monterrey striker Maria Salas.

As for Zambia, Catherine Musonda is expected to return to the starting lineup after missing the defeat to Spain through suspension.

After featuring as a substitute in Zambia's first two games, Avell Chitundu could be presented with a starting opportunity.

Should Chitundu be given the nod, she will feature in a front three alongside Rachael Kundananji and Barbra Banda.

Costa Rica Women possible starting lineup:

Vega; F. Villalobos, Benavides, Elizondo, Coto; Alvarado, Granados, G. Villalobos, Herrera; Salas, Chinchilla

Zambia Women possible starting lineup:

Sakala; Belamu, Musase, Mweemba, Tembo; Wilombe, Lungu, Katongo; Chitundu, Kundananji, B. Banda

We say: Costa Rica Women 1-2 Zambia Women

Costa Rica and Zambia will both be looking to bow out the tournament with a win, but with the likes of Kundananji and Banda is their ranks, we think that the Copper Queens have the attacking quality to claim maximum points.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.