2023 Women’s World Cup: Spain secures comfortable win over Costa Rica
by Daniel Mfoniso
Spain opened their women’s world cup campaign with a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica at a wet Wellington Regional Stadium, New Zealand.
The Group C opener saw Costa Rica struggle against one of the tournament’s favourite Spain, who boast of a very strong and experience team in their favour by enjoying 117 touches in Costa Rica’s box with 46 attempts and 12 shots on target throughout the match.
La Roja showcased their prowess in 21th minutes of the encounter after a dominant display to take the lead through an own goal from Valeria del Campo who was trying to intercept Aitana Bonmati low cross. Spain, added another at the 23th minute through Aitana Bonmati, who picks her spot and fires into the bottom left from the double save rebounds.
However, Daniela Solera who was having a great game between the sticks with numerous saves conceded the 3rd goal of the game through Esther Gonzalez. Solera went on to Save Jenni Hermoso’s spot-kick and 10 clean saves to keep her team in the game.
Jorge Vilda’s side enjoyed a greater percentage of the proceedings but were not very clinical in the second half of the encounter as Amelia Valverde’s side tries to contend the Europeans.
Spain will be up against Zambia in the 2nd Group C match on Wednesday 26, by 8:30am Nigerian time, while Costa Rica will face Japan on the same day by 6:00am Nigerian time.
