- Philip Morrissey
- Fri, Jul 21 2023
Spain began their World Cup with a routine win over Costa Rica this morning in a rain-soaked Wellington.
They raced into a three-goal lead within the first half an hour to secure the points. They will be disappointed to have not added to their advantage given their dominance given greater challenges remain.
It was a tough experience for the Central American side who were playing in their first World Cup since 2015.
They found themselves penned into their own half for most of the game and had goalkeeper Daniela Solera to thank for keeping the score down.
Their resilience and occasional attacking forays will give them heart going forward though.
Jorge Vilda had issues with the squad given a walk-out by 15 members following a dispute in the lead up to the tournament.
He was able to welcome back Alexia Putellas back on the bench after she missed the Euros through injury.
It was a side dominated by Real Madrid and Barcelona players with only Jennifer Hermosa to not play for either.
18-year-old Salma Paralluelo made her first World Cup game. Costa Rica were looking for their first win at this level went with a side mainly playing at home.
It was attack against defence from almost the opening whistle.
Spain were looking to get the ball wide and get crosses in to their danger players immediately.
Aitana Bonmati and Esther Gonzalez were both off target with early chances.
Ivana Andres was then denied by a smart save by Daniela Solera after she had a free header from a corner.
Costa Rica knew their best hope was on breakaways and they almost profited from one. A simple ball over the top caught out the Spanish defence and allowed Melissa Herrera a run on goal.
She was outnumbered and only able to drag a shot across the area. Jenni Hermosa had a shot blocked as the possession stats racked up.
The pressure was telling and they eventually broke. Disappointingly though it came via a defender mistake. Esther Gonzalez got out wide and her low cross was bundled into the net by Valeria del Campo as Hermosa lay waiting.
The second came almost immediately as Bonmati created a yard of space for herself before curling a shot into the top corner past the helpless Solera.
The goalkeeper denied both Gonzalvez and Olga Carmona in quick succession as the Spanish looked hungry for goals.
It seemed a matter of how much they were going to score at that point.
The third did arrive and it was all down to the predatory nature of Gonzalez.
Teresa Abelleira sent in a cross that Hermosa headed onto the bar. The striker anticipated the rebound and was able to claim her first of the tournament.
It could have been four after Carmona was adjudged to have been brought down in the penalty area.
Hermosa stepped up to take the spot-kick but Solera guessed the right way to palm it wide. It seemed to be justice for what was a soft award.
Irene Paredes and Salma Paralluelo had further chances as Spain kept up the pressure.
Costa Rica almost got back into the game out of the blue thanks to an error by Rodriguez Rivero.
The keeper was too casual with her clearance with Herrera near closing down on her.
She just got away with the deflection and Herrera was able to react to the rebound.
The attacker then crossed for a chance for Maria Salas as they ended the half on a bright note. It was saved by Rivero though.
Spain were equally as relentless as the second-half began. Carmona saw her effort from outside the area kiss the crossbar as she took advantage of space to come forward, a scramble in the box was just saved by an offside flag before Solera denied Paralleula with a strong hand before she thwarted Carmona yet again.
There was a moment of concern for Costa Rica as Solera went to ground after a coming together with one of her own defenders following another corner.
After treatment, she was able to continue on. She recovered in time to stop Carmona yet again moments later.
The rain was pelting down yet both sides stuck to their task. Spain still came forward, but the Costa Rican players remained determined to defend and block whatever came their way.
Solera demonstrated this as she denied Redondo from point blank range in the final minute.
Job done for one of the tournaments favourites at the final whistle. They know tougher challenges await them as they aim to go further in this World Cup.
They will aim to achieve this when they come up against Zambia on Wednesday at 8.30am.
Costa Rica must aim to rebuild before they take on Japan on the same day at 6am (both Irish time).
Spain Women: Misa; Ivana Andres, Ona Batlle (Oihane Hernandez 87), Olga Carmona, Irene Paredes; Teresa Abelleira (Claudia Zornoza 78), Aitana Bonmati, Jennifer Hermoso; Athenea Del Castillo (Alba Redondo 62), Esther González (Mariona Caldentey 62), Salma Paralluelo (Alexia Putellas 78).
Subs not used: Enith Salon, Cata Coll, Rocio Galvez, Laia Codina, Irene Guerrero, Maria Perez, Eva Navarro.
Costa Rica Women: Daniela Solera; Mariana Benavides, Valeria Del Campo, Fabiola Villalobos; Katherine Alvarado, Maria Coto, Maria Paula Elizondo, Gloriana Villalobos (Alexandra Pinell 73); Priscilla Chinchilla, Melissa Herrera, Maria Paula Salas (Sheika Scott 73).
Subs not used: Priscilla Tapia, Genesis Perez, Gabriela Guillen, Carol Sanchez, Emilie Valenciano, Cristin Granados, Mariela Campos, Soa Varela, Catalina Estrada, Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno.
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Attendance: 22,966
extratime.com Player of the Match: Daniela Solera
