Spain fired a warning shot to their Women's World Cup rivals with a 3-0 defeat of Costa Rica on Friday, with superstar Alexia Putellas making a late cameo off the bench
Spain players (Pic: Twitter/FIFA Women's World Cup)
Spain fired a warning shot to their Women's World Cup rivals with a 3-0 defeat of Costa Rica on Friday, with superstar Alexia Putellas making a late cameo off the bench.
The Spaniards showed why they're among the favourites in a Group C mismatch in Wellington, rifling 46 shots against opponents who spent nearly the entire game defending and were flattered by the scoreline.
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La Roja dominated possession from the off with their slick passing and threatened a rout when all three goals came in the space of six minutes midway through the first half. They were joined in the 77th minute by reigning two-time Ballon d'Or winner Putellas, whose fitness had been in doubt after cutting short a training session on Monday.
Coach Jorge Vilda indicated on Thursday he would carefully manage the workload of the 29-year-old midfielder, who hasn't completed a full game since returning in April from a serious knee injury.
Putellas produced some neat touches over the closing minutes but couldn't help a frustrated Spain add to the scoresheet.
Her Barcelona team-mate Aitana Bonmati was a classy playmaker throughout most of the contest, creating many of Spain's best chances and finding the net herself.
Bonmati was one of three players who returned from a nine-month exile to play in the World Cup. She was among a group of 15 who made themselves unavailable for selection in a player revolt against Vilda that rocked Spain's preparations.
The first goal came 21 minutes into the contest when Costa Rica defender Valeria del Campo sliced a low cross from Esther Gonzalez into her own net. Bonmati doubled the lead Gonzalez grabbed the third with a close-range volley.
It should have been four soon afterwards but Jennifer Hermoso was denied from the penalty spot by goalkeeper Daniela Solera, who was a critical figure in keeping the scoreline down.
Solera made nine saves, including a host of fingertip efforts in the second half, as Spain lost some fluidity.
Costa Rica are still searching for a first World Cup win, having failed to advance from the group phase in their lone appearance eight years ago, when their opening match was a 1-1 draw with Spain. The teams share the same group as Japan and Zambia, who meet in Hamilton on Saturday.
Also Read: FIFA Women's World Cup: Co-hosts New Zealand, Australia start campaign with narrow wins
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