Spain begins its ambitious World Cup dream against Costa Rica

Spain begins its ambitious World Cup dream against Costa Rica

The women's team makes its debut in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand against the theoretically most affordable rival

MADRID, 20 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spanish women's soccer team will make its long-awaited debut at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this Friday (9.30 am/2) with the theoretically most affordable duel in its Group C that measures a Costa Rica against which it should not fail if it does not want to complicate the goal of being first.

More than four years after being eliminated in the round of 16 against the United States in the World Cup held in France, Spain will now seek better luck in the Antipodes, where they will want to confirm the competitive growth and level that they have experienced since Megan Rapinoe sentenced them from the penalty spot.

The bets point to the team coached by Jorge Vilda as one of the great favorites for the title and now the time has come to put those expectations and ambitions on the line. And after the turbulence experienced last September and which seems to have calmed down somewhat, it will also be the turn to examine the strength of a dressing room, something key, especially when difficulties may appear.

The 'Red' starts as the rival to beat in their group, ahead even of a team with more World Cup tradition like the Japanese, and they will have to know how to deal with that unusual favoritism that they must confirm with a first place that, barring surprises, would 'sweeten' the route for crosses, 'cursed' so far in the history of women's football.

One year after the bitter setback suffered in the Eurocup, the team wants to aspire to everything and already launch a first message against a Costa Rica, which is emerging as the easiest obstacle to overcome, but dangerous because it not only has less pressure but also because debuts in major competitions are always difficult to manage on an emotional level.

After a good final stretch of preparation, with victories without conceding against Panama (7-0), a rival that can be compared to the 'Tico' team, Denmark (0-2) and Vietnam (9-0), the Spanish arrive encouraged at this premiere, which repeats the history of eight years ago in the World Cup in Canada. At that time, Spain started as favorites, but could only scratch a draw that made things difficult for them, although now the distance between the two teams seems even greater, as a result of the growth of Spanish women's football, reflected in the successes of FC Barcelona.

In sports, Jorge Vilda confirmed in the preview that he has all his players "available", including an Alexia Putellas who is cared for with care and who started the duels against Panamanians, scoring, and Danes. The double Ballon d'Or player, recovered in April from a serious knee injury that left him without a EURO, needs rhythm and it seems difficult for him to start.

Irene Guerrero and Claudia Zornoza could be the ones chosen to occupy that interior position along with Aitana Bonmatí, while Tere Abelleira is emerging as the 'anchor'. Behind, everything indicates that Ivana Andrés and Irene Paredes will be the center-backs, and above, along with Jenni Hermoso and Salma Paralluelo, the options of Mariona Caldentey or the goalscorer Alba Redondo.

Opposite, a Costa Rica that faces its second World Cup with the hope of improving the performance of eight years ago, when it was able to scratch two draws, and catapult an improvement in women's football in its country.

As in 2015, Amelia Valverde is in charge of the 'Tico' team, which, like Spain, still has players from that match on Canadian soil in its ranks, including Raquel Rodríguez, its best player, who plays for the American Portland Thorns, and who was in charge of balancing Vicky Losada's goal. It also has one of the youngest players in this World Cup in its ranks, Sheika Scott, only 16 years old.

Contrary to the Spanish team, Costa Rica, fourth in the last round of CONCACAF teams, does not arrive at an optimum moment for results since they have not won any of their friendlies this year, also showing certain offensive problems.

SPAIN: Misa Rodríguez; Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Ivana Andrés, Olca Carmona; Aitana Bonmatí, Tere Abelleira, Irene Guerrero; Salma Paralluelo, Jenni Hermoso and Mariona Caldentey.

COSTA RICA: Hearth; Guillén, F. Villalobos, Benavides, Del Campo; Valenciano, Alvarado; Chinchilla, G. Villalobos, Herrera; and Rodriguez.

--REFEREE: Casey Reibelt (AUS).

--ESTADIO: Sky Stadium at Wellington (Nueva Zealand).

--TIME: 9:30/2.