<div><b><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Hinata Miyazawa scored twice and set up another as Japan stunned Spain 4-0 at the Women's World Cup on Monday to set up a clash with Norway in the knockout stage.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The Japanese delivered a lesson in clinical counter-attacking and led 3-0 at half-time to issue a World Cup warning against one of the title favourites.</div><div><br></div><div>The 2011 champions Japan topped the group to play another former winner in Norway while Spain will face Switzerland in the last 16.</div><div><br></div><div>Miyazawa's brace took her to four goals for the tournament while Riko Ueki and Mina Tanaka bagged the others for a hugely impressive Japan.</div><div><br></div><div>Boasting a host of European club stars, Spain dominated possession in front of a crowd of 20,957 in Wellington.</div><div><br></div><div>But they didn't create a single clear chance as Japan soaked up pressure and broke with pace, with lethal effect.</div><div><br></div><div>It was a tactical masterclass from Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda, whose team denied space and time to Barcelona stars Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati.</div><div><br></div><div>"The Spanish team, with that kind of offence, we decided to respond with a compact defence," Ikeda said.</div><div><br></div><div>"Once we recovered the ball, we tried to attack to the maximum at speed."</div><div>Japan's three first-half attempts resulted in three blistering goals as their speedy front line took advantage of a disorganised Spanish defence missing injured captain Ivana Andres.</div><div><br></div><div>It was Japan's first win in five attempts over Spain.</div><div><br></div><div>Their 11 goals is the most by any team at the tournament while they're one of four sides yet to concede a goal.</div><div><br></div><div>Miyazawa is also the tournament's leading scorer, although she was denied a chance to add to her four goals when replaced at halftime.</div><div><br></div><div>A beaming Miyazawa said leading the race for the golden boot was a surprise and a "great pleasure".</div><div><br></div><div>"I never imagined it. All of the goals are because of the other players giving me the right passes. So it's everybody's goal, not just me," she said.</div><div><br></div><div>With both teams having already qualified after coasting past pool opponents Zambia and Costa Rica, sixth-ranked Spain were considered the favourites to top the group.</div><div><br></div><div>Only needing a draw to do so, the Europeans controlled the ball for long periods but they had few answers when their opponents broke with speed.</div><div><br></div><div>- Spain in shock -</div><div><br></div><div>Spain coach Jorge Vilda conceded he'd been out-thought tactically.</div><div><br></div><div>"As the head coach I'm responsible for this defeat," he said.</div><div><br></div><div>"Yes I was surprised, they were exerting a lot of pressure.</div><div><br></div><div>"We had to break this low block that they had but we were not able to get past their lines to attack... and little by little they started scoring goals.</div><div><br></div><div>"We have not seen the best Spanish team yet and I'm convinced that against Switzerland the team will react positively."</div><div><br></div><div>The opener came in the 12th minute when Miyazawa outpaced the defence to reach Jun Endo's curling pass from halfway before slotting low past Misa Rodriguez.</div><div><br></div><div>Miyazawa turned provider in the 29th minute, driving forward before finding Ueki, whose shot took a giant deflection and snuck inside the top corner.</div><div><br></div><div>Another lightning quick counter gave Miyazawa space and the striker blasted powerfully past Rodriguez five minutes before the interval.</div><div><br></div><div>Substitute Tanaka's sensational 82nd minute goal came after a sizzling solo run from the touchline that turned the defence inside out.</div><div><br></div><div>Ikeda has quality at his disposal, having made five changes to his side who beat Costa Rica, including the selection of forwards Miyazawa and Ueki over in-form Tanaka and Aoba Fujino. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>