Spain put their rivals on alert by beating Costa Rica 3-0 on Friday, with star Alexia Putellas coming off the bench. The Spaniards, from Group C, showed why they are among the favorites to win the World Cup with this victory. In total they made 46 shots, while the rivals spent practically the entire game defending.
“la roja” dominated possession from the start of the game and threatened to be thrashed when they scored the three goals in just six minutes, halfway through the first half.
On Putellas’ return, coach Jorge Vilda said Thursday that he will carefully manage the workload of the 29-year-old midfielder, who has yet to play a full game since returning in April from a serious knee injury. In the final minutes of the game against Costa Rica, Putellas had some nice late-minute touches, but he couldn’t help the frustrated Spanish team to score.
Aitana Bonmati, her teammate at Barcelona, was classy for much of the game, creating many chances and even scoring a goal, in the 23rd minute.
On the other hand, Costa Rica is now looking for its first victory in the World Cup, after eight years ago, in its only participation, it did not go beyond the group stage.
Goal by Valeria del Campo, in minute 21:
Goal by Aitana Bonmati, in minute 23:
Goal by Esther González, in minute 27:
Source: TSF
