Japan's Hinata Miyazawa Wins Golden Boot At Women's World Cup
Japan midfielder Hinata Miyazawa ended the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup as the top scorer with five goals.
The 23-year-old - who plays her club soccer for Mynavi Sendai in Japan's WE League - is the second Japanese player to win the Golden Boot at a Women's World Cup, after Homare Sawa in 2011.
Miyazawa was not present at Sunday's final - which saw Spain beat England 1-0 - so she will receive her award at a later date.
Hinata Miyazawa pictured playing for Japan at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
IMAGO/ZUMA Wire/Kim Price
Miyazawa began the tournament by netting twice in a 5-0 win over Zambia. Despite this fine return, she was then benched for Japan's next game and only made a brief cameo in a 2-0 victory over Costa Rica.
Miyazawa returned to the starting XI to star in a 4-0 thrashing of eventual champions Spain in Japan's third game. She scored two goals and assisted another before being subbed off at half-time against Spain.
Japan beat Norway 3-1 in the round of 16, with Miyazawa scoring her fifth goal of the campaign.
But Japan's winning run was ended by Sweden, who beat Miyazawa and Co 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
France's Kadidiatou Diani, Germany's Alexandra Popp, Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt and Netherlands midfielder Jill Roord each ended the tournament with four goals.
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Top Scorers
- Hinata Miyazawa (Japan) - 5 goals in 5 games
- Kadidiatou Diani (France) - 4 goals in 5 games
- Alexandra Popp (Germany) - 4 goals in 3 games
- Jill Roord (Netherlands) - 4 goals in 5 games
- Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden) - 4 goals in 7 games
Champions Spain were the highest-scoring team, with 18 goals.
Aitana Bonmati, Jenni Hermoso and Alba Redondo all netted three times.
Salma Paralluelo and Olga Carmo bagged two goals each, while Esther Gonzalez, Laia Codina, Mariona Caldentey and Teresa Abelleira also hit the net for La Roja.
