MIAMI, Florida – The Costa Rican Women’s National Team is back for their second FIFA Women’s World Cup at Australia/New Zealand 2023 after their debut at Canada 2015. La Sele are making their comeback to the biggest stage on Friday against Spain as the first match of Group C at Wellington Regional Stadium in New Zealand.
This is not the first time these two teams have faced each other in a World Cup, as they were rivals in Costa Rica's first ever World Cup back in 2015. Both teams have changed a lot since the last time they shared the pitch.
Costa Rica booked their spot for their second World Cup by earning a fourth-place in the 2022 Concacaf W Championship. Managing to get out of Group B in second place, this allowed them to go further in the competition while knowing they were heading Down Under.
One of the players that made this comeback to the global stage possible was MF Raquel Rodriguez. Alongside other household names that made the Costa Rica Women’s National Team, ‘Rocky’ has proved in both club and country how her game can make a huge impact.
Not only did she help her team qualify for this year’s World Cup with a goal in the 2022 CWC, but Rodriguez’s name was already written in the history books of La Sele, as she was the first Tica to score a goal for Costa Rica in a Women’s World Cup, against Spain in 2015.
Katherine Alvarado and Cristin Granados, with two goals each at the CWC, will also shore up the Costa Rica attack.
Spain also reinforced their squad since they last faced Costa Rica. After a Round of 16 elimination at France 2019, big names like Alexia Putellas, who was out almost a year due to an ACL injury at 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro, is back to fight for the top spot in Group C.
The last time Costa Rica played against Spain, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Rodriguez scored the goal for Costa Rica, while Vicky Losada tallied for La Roja. This is the second time they’ll face each other at the senior level, with expectations high for both teams.
The two fan favorites open up a group that will keep everyone on the edge of their seats until the very last game, with Costa Rica wanting to add more history to their women’s football and try to qualify to a Round of 16 for the first time.
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) July 19, 2023
