Spain easily thrashed a passive Costa Rica 3-0 and projected itself as a candidate for the title, in the debut of both teams in the Women’s World Cup, this Friday (21), in Wellington, New Zealand.
Far superior to their rivals, the Spanish team closed the game in the first half hour with an own goal by Valeria del Campo (21) and goals by Aitana Bonmati (23) and Esther González (27), in a game in which Alexia Putellas, chosen as the best world player in the last two Fifa (International Football Federation) elections, played the last 20 minutes.
Alexia is recovering from a serious knee injury suffered a year ago.
The two teams entered the field without their most prominent players, both on the bench. Putellas is recovering from last year’s knee injury and came on in the 77th minute.
For Costa Rica, the coaching staff decided not to risk player Raquel Rodríguez due to a recent injury, according to team spokespersons.
With a stadium two-thirds full (about 25,000 spectators), New Zealand fans seemed to identify mostly with the weak Costa Rican team, chanting “Costa Rica” to the beat of drums.
The result gave Spain the top three points in Group C, completed by Japan and Zambia, who face each other on Saturday (22).
