Spain dominate the match against Costa Rica in the second half in the first match of the group stage of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The team went into half-time with a comfortable three-goal lead and kept up the intensity to widen the gap. Valeria del Campo opens the scoring with an own goal. The Costa Rican sent Esther’s cross onto goal which was the first goal for Spain. Aitana Bonmatí doubled it just a minute later and Esther signed the third goal for the Spaniards in under 7 minutes. Jenni Hermoso missed a penalty that could have been Spain’s fourth goal. The team is dictating the pace of the game and monopolizing possession and chances. Costa Rica play a very defensive game to block Spain’s attacks and try to run on the counterattack. Vilda’s men, however, were quick to stop the Central American team’s counterattacks, which generated almost no danger.
3
Misa, Irene Paredes, Ivana Andrés, Ona Batlle, Olga Carmona, Teresa Abelleira, Athenea del Castillo, Salma Paralluelo, Jenni Hermoso, Aitana Bonmatí and Esther González
0
Daniela Solera, Fabiola Villalobos, Mariana Benavides, Valeria del Campo, María Coto, Katherine Alvarado, Gloriana Villalobos, María Elizondo, María Salas, Priscila Chinchilla and Mélissa Herrera
goals 1-0 min. 20: Valeria del Campo (pp). 2-0 mins. 22: Aitana Bonmati. 3-0 min. 27: Esther Gonzalez.
Referee Casey Rebel
ESP 3 – 0 CR
Spain maintains the offensive pace trying to increase their advantage. Salma had several chances to make the fourth. Costa Rica gave up looking for counter-attack options and focused on maintaining a tight defense to avoid a bigger rout.
Changes in Spain
Esther and Athenea leave the playing field and Alba Redondo and Mariona Caldentey enter.
ESP 3 – 0 CR
Athenea puts the ball at the near post in search of Esther, but Solera reappears to avoid the fourth count.
Exchange in Costa Rica
Elizondo leaves the playing field and Granados replaces him.
ESP 3 – 0 CR
Great play by Salma, who pushes the ball from the top of the area and tries to shoot at the near post, but Solera shows up with a masterful hand to save the ticas from receiving the fourth. Good game by the Costa Rican goalkeeper despite the result.
ESP 3 – 0 CR
First for Spain! The selection applies to everything from the start of the second half. The Spaniards planted themselves in the Solera area with the first attack after the restart.
The second part begins!
Spain dominated Costa Rica after a first half with three goals.
End of first part
Spain set their pace against Costa Rica after a first half with three goals.
ESP 3 – 0 CR
Costa Rica does not give up and maintains its defensive game. The Costa Ricans came on the break twice, and although the Spanish defense and Misa kept clean sheets, the Central American side generated more hazards in five minutes than in the rest of the first half.
ESP 3 – 0 CR
Jenni Hermoso misses from the penalty spot. The team’s top scorer misses the opportunity to place fourth in the standings.
Penalty for Spain!
Fabiola Villalobos tackled Olga in the box and the referee awarded Spain a penalty.
ESP 3 – 0 CR
The third for Spain! Esther confirms the victory against Costa Rica with the third goal for the team in less than 10 minutes.
ESP 2 – 0 CR
Goal for Spain! The selection puts the batteries. Aitana Bonmati doubled for Spain with a great shot against the Costa Rica goal.
ESP 1 – 0 CR
Goal for Spain! Esther sends a cross from the side of the area in search of a partner and in the end it is the Costa Rican del Campo who pushes the ball into her own goal.
ESP 0 – 0 CRC
The first for Spain! The team had their first chance of the game. Esther finished off Salma’s cross but the ball went wide of goal. Spain are setting the pace and generating chances in the Costa Rica area. The Central American side are using their chances on the counterattack, but lack the speed and numbers to create danger. Solera saved the Costa Ricans, saving a shot from Ivana that was heading straight for goal.
ESP 0 – 0 CRC
Spain want to have possession at the start of the match. The team controls the ball and the pace of the game, trying to get close to the Costa Rican area, which planted itself with a low defensive block to cut through the Spanish attacks.
Start the game!
Spain look for victory in their first World Cup match against Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s starting eleven:
Solera; Villalobos, Benavides, del Campo; Coto, Alvarado, Gloria Villalobos, Elizondo; Herrera, Salas, Chinchilla
This is Spain’s starting eleven
Mass; Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Ivana, Olga; Teresa, Aitana, Athena; Salma Paralluelo, Esther, Jenni Hermoso
Welcome!
Good morning! Welcome to the live broadcast of Spain – Costa Rica, first match of the group stage of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Jorge Vilda’s men are trying to get off on the right foot in their league debut, in which they aim to lift the World Cup on 20 August. Enjoy the game with us. Let’s begin!
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