Scoring three goals in four minutes midway through a one-sided first half on Friday, Spain broke Costa Rica’s resistance, set the stage for a resounding 3-0 victory and sent a warning to their Women’s World Cup rivals.
Speculation that Spain were an injury-weakened team was ultimately wrong.
By half-time in this Group C duel, the Spaniards had controlled the ball 80% of the time, made 12 corners and amassed 15 shots on goal.
They also put an end to concerns about injured players who had been left behind.
The fact that the second half did not live up to the first is not a big concern.
Spain kicked off their run with a performance that caught the eye and lit up a freezing winter evening in Wellington, New Zealand.
Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexis Putellas started the game on the bench, was only used in the 77th minute and received a standing ovation after his long battle with injury.
Despite attacking relentlessly, Spain needed 22 minutes to open the scoring with an own goal. Aitana Bonmati crossed the ball on the left and Valeria del Campo, trying to clear, sent it into his own net.
Bonmati scored herself a minute later, kicking the ball hard and low from the edge of the box. Two minutes later, Esther Gonzalez added a third goal.
In the 32nd minute, Jennifer Hermoso missed a penalty, her shot being saved by Daniela Solera.
In a Group A game in Dunedin, New Zealand, Ramona Bachmann scored from a penalty just before the end of the first half to help Switzerland win 2-0 against the Philippines when the two countries entered action on Friday.
Seraina Piubel added a goal in the second half, exploiting the rebound from a missed shot by Coumba Sow which had ricocheted off Filipino goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.
This meeting was the first to take place in the Forsyth Barr stadium, the only stadium with a roof among those hosting matches. Applause from the audience echoed off the walls of the half-full stadium, with a crowd of 13,711 in an enclosure that could hold more than 30,000.
Filipino striker Katrina Guillou appeared to have scored a goal in the 15th minute, but it was ruled out due to offside.
Switzerland dominated the attack, shooting 17-3 over the Philippines, but the Philippines defense hung on.
McDaniel held on, making several crucial saves in the first half, only yielding on Bachmann’s late-half penalty.
With their win, Switzerland joined New Zealand at the top of the Group A standings and improved their chances of making the round of 16.
Switzerland will play their next game against Norway while the Philippines will face New Zealanders. These two parts will take place on Tuesday.
