Spain sets the standard at Women's World Cup
Alexis Putellas finally made her entry into Spain's opener at the Women's World Cup against Costa Rica on Friday, the match was already won. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner waited 77 minutes to leave the bench, to enter the tournament and to provide an early answer to questions about her fitness after her long recuperation from injury. Putellas damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee just before Spain's European Championship campaign last year, returned for the first time in April and has been played sparingly since, mostly from the bench.
Her appearance in the 3-0 win at Wellington on a night of stinging rain and cold was an affirmation of her fitness, the promise of better things to come as the tournament proceeds and the last component of a triumphant night for Spain. Three goals in less than five minutes in the middle of a first half in which they enjoyed extraordinary dominance of possession and freedom on attack, carried Spain to a 3-0 lead over Costa Rica by halftime. That lead endured for all of the second half, though Spain finished with 45 shots on goal, an extraordinary total.
Spain's winning margin would have been much greater, but for a determined performance by Costa Rica goalkeeper Daniela Solero on her 26th birthday. Solero saved a first-half penalty and parried shot after shot to prevent Spain's lead growing beyond already emphatic proportions. There was still, in Spain's win, a resounding warning to other teams.
When the defending champion US team starts its bid for a third straight title in its Group E opener Saturday, it will be with this performance still echoing. Spain have set a standard. Through the first 20 minutes on Friday, Spain had 84 per cent of possession.
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