MIAMI, Florida – Costa Rica kicked things off in Group C as the second Concacaf national team to make their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup debut on Friday night, falling 3-0 to Spain at the Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand.
The Spanish attack got going early and their first goal arrived as an own goal in the 21’. Costa Rica DF Valeria del Campo was defending her line when a cross from the left hit her leg and deflected into the Costa Rica net, giving Spain the 1-0 lead.
It quickly became 2-0 two minutes later in the 23’ when Spain MF Aitana Bonmati latched onto a ball and fired in a left-footed shot for the second goal for La Roja.
Costa Rica GK Daniela Solera made a brilliant stop in the 26’ to deny Spain a third goal, but couldn’t save the next attempt from FW Esther Gonzalez just a minute later in the 27’ with a redirect into goal after a header had struck the crossbar.
The Spanish pressure kept coming and the European side looked set to score a fourth in the 33’ when Costa Rica’s Fabiola Villalobos committed a foul in the area and the referee signalled for a penalty. Spain FW Jennifer Hermoso stepped up to take it, but Solera, a hero once again, denied the shot.
Costa Rica tried to pull a goal back and had looks through Melissa Herrera in the 40’ and Katherine Alvarado in the 60’, but were turned away by the Spanish defense.
The 3-0 scoreline held until the final whistle, as the next test for Costa Rica will be on Wednesday against the 2011 Champions Japan.
