1000th Goal in Women’s World Cup History Scored by Zambia.

A major FIFA Women's World Cup landmark was reached on 31 July 2023 when Copper Queens’ captain, Barbra Banda, scored the tournament's 1000th goal ever.

The Zambian goal was fired from the penalty spot against Costa Rica in the 31st minute of the Group C clash in Hamilton.

The lead up to this goal started 31 years, eight months, and 15 days ago. Starting when China PR's Ma Li first inaugurated the scoring in the host nation's resounding 4-0 victory against Norway during the opening match of the 1991 tournament.

The 23-year-old Zambia captain used a clever stutter technique in her approach to make goalkeeper Daniela Solera jump prematurely, allowing Banda to easily send her penalty to the left of the goal. Immediately following, FIFA rushed to congratulate Banda and her team on social media.

The referee issued a penalty kick after Banda fell down in the six-yard box due to the extended leg of Katherine Alvarado. Costa Rican players contested the decision without success.

The Zambian Copper Queens have been making FIFA records since they qualified as the first landlocked African team ever to compete at a World Cup. The goal was the debuting team’s second one in the tournament, with the first Zambian goal being scored in the first three minutes of the game by Lushomo Mweemba, giving the Copper Queens a 2-0 lead.