Match Preview: Costa Rica looking to spring upset in Group C opener against dream-chasing Spain
Review
Wellington Regional Stadium
Spain Women
Costa Rica Women
| Game Statistics | ||
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Yellow cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red cards | 0 |
| 0 | Shots on Goal | 0 |
| 0 | Saves | 0 |
| 0 | Corner Kick | 0 |
| 0 | Shots | 0 |
| Fouls |
|
0 |
| SH |
|
0 |
| 0 |
|
Fouls |
| 0 |
|
SH |
Game Timeline
Spain and Costa Rica will face off in Group C opening match at the Women’s World Cup on Friday, July 21, 2023, at the Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand.
Both teams also met in the group phase at Canada 2015, where they both made their World Cup debuts. After playing out a 1-1 draw in that Group E encounter, neither nation managed to progress to the knockout rounds.
Things have changed since then, however, with La Roja boasting a star-studded squad and the desire to replicate the success the country has enjoyed at club level on the international stage.
As for Las Ticas, they are determined to spring a surprise on their second appearance at the tournament.
Spain’s Sonadoras (“Dreamers”) are in very fine form, putting nine goals past fellow 2023 Women’s World Cup contender, Vietnam, in a preparatory match on July 14. They have also faced Norway, China, Panama and Denmark prior to that, scoring 16 goals and conceding two in the four matches.
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Team news
Spain has prepared with the aim of playing a starring role at the Australia & New Zealand 2023, though most eyes will be on their leading light, Alexia Putellas.
The Barcelona captain has been training on her own in the lead-up to the tournament as she strives to regain full fitness following the anterior cruciate ligament injury she suffered last year.
The major absentee from the Costa Rica squad is Tica legend Shirley Cruz, whose international career spanned more than 20 years. Coach Amelia Valverde can nevertheless count on a group of players that combines youth and experience and is intent on springing a surprise.
Players to watch
Jenni Hermoso
Her country’s all-time top scorer with 48 goals and second-most capped player, Hermoso showed what she could do in front of goal at France 2019 and will be hungry to impress from the off at her third World Cup. An intelligent player with a potent left-foot, she could well give the Costa Rica defence a tough time in Wellington.
Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno
Costa Rica’s greatest-ever goalscorer, Rodriguez struck the equaliser in that Canada 2015 meeting and is keen to repeat the trick. No longer an up-and-coming talent, she is the undisputed star of the Tica line-up. Capped over 100 times, she will lead them on what looks to be a challenging adventure. “Costa Rica have never been beyond the group phase, so that’s a very clear objective for us,” the forward noted.
Stats
- For all their talent and potential, Spain do not have a long Women’s World Cup history behind them. This is only their third appearance in the competition, after Canada 2015 and France 2019.
- Though Costa Rica have yet to win a Women’s World Cup match, they have shown themselves to be tough opponents. Aside from drawing with Spain on their tournament their debut in 2015, they held Korea Republic to a draw and were edged out 1-0 by Brazil.
- Hermoso struck twice for Spain in their last opening match: the 3-1 defeat of South Africa at France 2019.
- Sixth in the FIFA Women’s World Ranking, Spain have never ventured further than the last 16 at the World Cup, reaching that stage at France 2019 before losing to reigning and eventual champions USA.
In the news
“We want to go as far as we can and make history. We’re ambitious. I know there’s a lot of expectation around us but that’s a privilege because it reflects what the players and the team have achieved. We’re going to fight to be right up there. How we attack depends on how we press; if we press well, we attack well. And at the big tournaments, it’s the teams that defend well that go far. That’s what we’re aiming for.”
– Jorge Vilda, Spain coach“We’ve got belief and we’ve got months of planning behind us, not to mention a group of committed players. We’re coming up against three very tough and different opponents, but we’re very excited and determined to compete in all three games.”
– Amelia Valverde, Costa Rica coach
