Spain's first-half storm annihilates Costa Rica to kickstart WC in style
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 21.07.23. | 12:31
There are no loose ends in La Furia Roja's team. And they prove it right from the start
It took Spain's women's national team only six minutes to clinch a 3-0 landslide victory against Costa Rica in their FIFA World Cup opening match.
La Furia Roja are among the favourites to reach the final stage of the competition and were eager to prove their qualities straight from the kick-off.
Three goals. Six minutes. #FIFAWWC magic from Spain. 💫@SEFutbolFem | #BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/cUsM2DKqa8
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 21, 2023
The deadlock was broken through an own goal twenty minutes into the game before Aitana Bonmati and Esther Gonzales netted two more in the space of just four minutes to knock their rivals down.
21 - #Spain player Esther González 🇪🇸 has made 21 touches in the opponent box against Costa Rica, the most by a single player in a #FIFAWWC game since 2011. Reference. pic.twitter.com/zgtOHODOEO
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) July 21, 2023
If it weren't for inspired Costa Rica custodian Daniela Solera - who made at least half a dozen incredible saves - it would have ended more dreadfully for the underdogs. She managed to stop Jennifer Hermoso's penalty near the half-time break and put on even more effort in the second half as the Spaniards kept looking for the fourth.
One of the world's best players ever, Alexia Putellas, started the game from the bench, and the Spanish coach provided her with the chance to shine in the ultimate 15 minutes, which she used to display a masterful set of skills and dribbles in front of 22,000 fans on a cold rainy night in New Zealand.
A rainy World Cup welcome for Alexia, who will get 15 minutes with Spain still three up on Costa Rica pic.twitter.com/QkXDQqUN2n
— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) July 21, 2023
Zambia will face Japan on Saturday in the second match of Group C, while the second-round group games are scheduled for July 26.
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