Thank you so much for joining me for this match and for your contributions. I will be back tomorrow to cover Zambia v Japan and Denmark v China but we will also have live coverage of the other matches. Have a good rest of your Friday and catch up with all the Spain v Costa Rica action:
It was not announced on the coverage which is why it has taken me so long to tell you but Bonmati was named Player of the Match. After her absolute rocket of a goal and her superb movement throughout it isn’t a suprise.
One of the headlines from day one of the tournament was Sam Kerr not being able to play for Australia because of injury. There has been more light on the situation, read the full piece:
Defending champions the US get their tournament underway tomorrow and it will be Megan Rapinoe’s last international competition. She is retiring at the end of the 2023 season:
Ahead of England’s opener tomorrow, the team have had some good news! Captain Millie Bright is fit to play in the match:
Spain’s win over Costa Rica is the final World Cup match of the day but what a line-up of games we have tomorrow! In action, which we will have live reporting on, are:
United States v Vietnam
Zambia v Japan
England v Haiti
Denmark v China
Here are the reports from the other two matches which have happened today:
Here’s the own goal which started Spain’s scoring:
A Spain goal had been coming... but it arrived in heartbreaking fashion for Costa Rica!
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 21, 2023
Watch it live on @BBCTwo and @BBCiPlayer now 📺 #FIFAWWC #ESPCRC pic.twitter.com/5KQFIC69hf
Karen Carney has written a column about England’s chances at the tournament. The Lionesses begin their campaign against Haiti tomorrow. Have a read of the piece:
After that display do you think Spain can win the World Cup? Let me know via email or Twitter!
Another positive for Spain is their talisman Alexis Putellas got some valuable minutes to build into this tournament. After missing the Euros it is great to see her back on the world stage:
@AlexiaPutellas is back on the world stage. 🙌@SEFutbolFem | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/I95m8Lf40z
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 21, 2023
Spain had 117 touches in Costa Rica’s box, a massive stat but also highlights their lack of clinicism. Only three goals from 46 shots and no goals in the second half.
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At the Euros last year I felt it was a tournament that displayed goalkeeping skill with the likes of Earps, Thalmann and Van Domselaar all shining. This World Cup could be the same, Solera today was amazing.
Full time! Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
A dominant performance from Spain seals the three points. All the goals were scored in the first half with an own goal and Bonmati and Gonzalez on the scoreboard. Costa Rica can be proud of their second half though as they prevented Spain from scoring. Solera a huge positive in their team, she made 10 saves throughout the match and most were impressive stops.
90 + 4 min: There is a break in play as Del Campo goes down with an injury. She doesn’t need treatment though and so we are back underway quickly.
90 + 3 min: Costa Rica have a rare bit of possession and they give it away cheaply with a foul. A fun fact the BBC has just given the audience, this will only be Spain’s second win at a World Cup!
90 + 1 min: There will be five added minutes here.
90 min: Bonmati has a shot but Solera saves, felt like the wrong decision. She should have either passed to Redondo or taken the shot earlier.
89 min: The corner comes in but the chance is wasted. There should be a fair amount of added time here after Solera’s injury.
88 min: Spain are still battling for a fourth goal but the sting has weakened in their game. Hermoso attempts to get control in the box but Costa Rica defenders do enough to repel her. Redondo’s cross is deflected by Benavides and there is another corner. Before they take it Spain make another change, Batlle is off for Hernandes
86 min: Putellas lays the ball off to Caldentey but her shot is wide! Hermoso does great work on the edge of the box with a lovely turn but she ends up being offside. Little bits of being clinical has been missing from Spain’s game today.
84 min: Herrera again pressing Spain, she looks deadly when she has the opportunity to do so. Spain do come away with it and get themselves in a good position, Putellas has a shot which is saved. Scott stretched in the build-up and she hit the deck, it looked a bit worrying but she is now back on her feet.
82 min: Spain are on the attack, Carmona is on the hunt – water is wet. Putellas is asking the question of a penalty as she is brought down in the box but nothing is given.
80 min: Final ten minutes in this one and Spain have been unable to add to the scoreboard here. Costa Rica can be proud of the efforts in the second 45, Spain have not let up on the pressure.
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78 min: The crowd cheer as Costa Rica get possession but Spain quickly win it back. Spain make some more changes with Paralluela and Abelleira off for Putellas and Zornoza.
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76 min: Carmona absolutely loves a long-range strike and my word that was almost a nomination for goal of the tournament! She smacks the ball but it is just over the bar. Huge from the Spain player.
75 min: I was guessing it was cramp for Solera but she has remained on the floor for a while here, receiving a lot of treatment. Her teammates are around her with concern. She is now back to her feet and does look okay to continue! Good news for Costa Rica.
74 min: The set piece is well defended again from Costa Rica. The ball is whipped in again and Solera falls to the ground in trying to get in position, it seems she has cramp and should be okay to continue here. The keeper has put in a good performance. G Villalobos and Sala are off with Pinell and Scott (who is just 16!) on.
72 min: Hermoso takes the free kick but it’s cleared. Spain come again, Costa Rica must be frustrated with the amount of defending they have had to do. Paralluelo makes a good run again and wins a corner.
70 min: Paredes gives away a foul on Salas and Costa Rica can clear their lines. It doesn’t go far though as Spain win it back and are immediately a threat. Bonmati’s chance is out for a goal kick. However, it is not long until Spain have yet another corner. Bonmati takes it but it’s cleared – Paralluelo is fouled and Spain have a free kick.
68 min: Caldentey has her first time on the ball and she wins a corner. It is taken short to Hermoso, it eventually comes in but it’s blocked. Bonmati manages to get the ball int he box once more but it is headed away.
66 min: The pace of this game has slowed slightly, Spain are still in control but they seem less aggressive in their play. Spain have had 39 attempts on goal so far so they aren’t exactly slacking!
64 min: A great challenge from Costa Rica thwarts another Spain chance. Spain makes their first changes with Gonzalez and Del Castillo off for Caldentey and Redondo. Redondo gets on the ball straight away and almost scores with her first touch! It is just wide though. Bonmati then crosses in and Paralluelo is inches away from scoring.
62 min: The corner comes in but Hermoso clears and Spain look to counter. Solera comes to the rescue again who collects on the second time of asking.
60 min: Elizondo is off for Granados with Costa Rica making their first change. Paredes, who has made a few errors today, gives away the ball and Costa Rica are able to set up an attack. They then win their first corner!
58 min: That was almost an absolute worldie from Paralluelo! She cuts through the defence like a knife through hot butter! She gets a shot away but Solera saves, conceding a corner. It comes in but is initially blocked, it comes back and a huge effort from Carmona is saved! Another corner and again Solera saves! Spain could easily be at least 6-0 up if it weren’t for their keeper.
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56 min: Delicious football from Hermoso, a nutmeg as she passes to Gonzalez – her shot is defended well.
55 min: The corner comes in and it’s not dealt with well by Costa Rica who can’t initially clear but Paralluelo fouls – goal kick.
54 min: That is so messy! Paralluelo just keeps running, getting around so many players and her cross comes in. Costa Rica eventually collect but the whistle is blown for Hermoso being offside. And now it’s messy again as Spain come, Gonzalez gets a shot away but it is wide – out for a corner.
52 min: Carmona rattles the woodwork with a long range effort! Costa Rica have a player down, I’m unsure who it is right now. The referee keeps play going as Costa Rica have possession but when Spain win it back play stops. Elizondo is the player down, she is okay to continue.
50 min: Costa Rica win it back and Herrera, who has been great for her country, makes a great run. She crosses in but none of her teammates are there to connect.
49 min: Something Costa Rica need to do better is clearing the ball. They manage to deal with threats but they don’t clear the danger and Spain just keep coming. Some great play from Chinchilla as Costa Rica set up an attack but they give it away cheaply.
47 min: That was almost a goal for Spain already! Instead it’s a corner and Paralluelo gets a header but Solera collects.
Back underway! Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
Another 45 minutes in this one begins! Can Costa Rica peel some goals back? Or will Spain clock more scores? We’ll soon find out.
Some good news from the England camp before we get back underway in this match:
Here’s a look at Solera’s great save of Hermoso’s penalty:
Jenni Hermoso, Spain's all time top scorer, was denied from the spot by Daniela Solera! 😮
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 21, 2023
Watch it live on @BBCTwo and @BBCiPlayer now 📺 #FIFAWWC #ESPCRC pic.twitter.com/Aljn1nk7aU
Some pieces for you to take a look at that have emerged in the time we have been focusing on the football:
Look at Bonmati’s strike, the star is surely in a shout for the Ballon d’Or:
The turn and finish 🤌
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 21, 2023
Aitana Bonmati doubles Spain's lead in style against Costa Rica! 🇪🇸
Watch it live on @BBCTwo and @BBCiPlayer now 📺 #BBCWorldCup #FIFAWWC #ESPCRC pic.twitter.com/bVeSimcOKO
Half-time! Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
Gonzalez gets a head to the corner but is is wide. Well the three points from this game have been sewn up in the first half from Spain. An own goal, a Bonmati beauty and a Gonzalez flick has them three goals to the good. Costa Rica have shown glimpses of fight, saved a penalty and their defence has been good at times but it is all Spain at the moment.
45 + 4 min: Spain claim for a penalty as a player is tackled in the box when trying to collect a free kick but nothing is given. Spain do win a corner.
45 + 3 min: Spain have a free kick in a good position, it comes in but Solera comes out. The keeper hits it rather than catch, a risky move but it’s blocked for now.
45 + 1 min: There will be four minutes added here as Spain have three attempts at goal which are all blocked.
45 min: Oh my word that was great from Costa Rica! Herrera makes a great run and she crosses but they can’t convert. Glimpses of greatness.
44 min: Spain have yet another corner, it comes in but Costa Rica again do well to defend. Carmona manages to cross it in a minute later and Gonzalez leaps for a header, it is just over the bar!
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42 min: The corner comes in but it is cleared well by Costa Rica. A poor pass back to keeper Misa almost sees Herrera pounce, that was so close! The heart was definitely in the Spain players mouths then! Daniel has got in touch and said: “Greetings from Costa Rica! It’s currently 2:00 in the morning, and I stayed up to watch this game, wondering if we would see a repeat of the men’s National Team match against Spain in Qatar last year where we got utterly destroyed 7-0. So far, this match seems to be a play-by-play replay of that one… this is painful to watch. At least Solera saved the penalty, unlike Navas who got utterly defeated last year.” Sadly it has been one-sided so far! Hopefully Costa Rica will be able to get one back, some of their play has been impressive – especially for players who aren’t professional.
41 min: Spain get into the box but Paralluelo’s shot is deflected out for a corner. Hermoso takes it and it bundles around but Coto has it out for another corner.
40 min: Chinchilla makes a good run and draws a foul to give Costa Rica some time on the ball. But Spain win it back so quickly, their chance ends in a goal kick. Here they come again …
38 min: Batlle crosses a great ball in but it evades her teammates. Some good defensive work from Costa Rica but they can’t retain possession. Paredes takes a shot but it is wide.
37 min: Spain have a free kick in a good position, it’s swung in but Costa Rica deal with it well. Jorge Vilda’s team come once again.
35 min: WHAT A SAVE! Hermoso is over the ball from the spot but she rifles her shot and Solera goes the right way. What a save, what a moment.
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34 min: Batlle that was delicious! She finds Bonmati but her cross into the box doesn’t find a player. Carmona is tackled in the box and a penalty is given! Penalty trend continues!
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32 min: Paredes gets contact from the corner but it is wide. Costa Rica manage to deal with another cross into the box but Spain are not letting their foot off the gas. Every time Costa Rica have the ball the crowd cheer. Some valuable context, only one player for Costa Rica is fully professional.
30 min: There is another Spain corner after a Hermoso cross was deflected out, how many more goals will they get before half-time?
29 min: Spain were among the favourites before this game but this is a strong performance.
GOAL! Spain 3-0 Costa Rica (Gonzalez, 27')
For the first corner Spain opt to pass to the edge of the box, Carmona hits a long range shot and it’s almost in! The team get another corner from the save, it comes in and Paredes’ head causes chaos. It eventually comes to Gonzalez and she puts it in the net.
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26 min: Del Castillo works well in the box but her pass is blocked. Spain keep working, being patient in their build-up and then Solera makes a great save! Gonzalez gets a head to cross and it’s almost three! Another corner to come.
25 min: We said the goal would come but wow! So unfortunate for Costa Rica to concede the own goal but there was no stopping that Bonmati strike. This could see the floodgates open now, the scoreboard could be huge. They have the momentum and they just keep coming.
GOAL! Spain 2-0 Costa Rica (Bonmati, 23')
What a strike! She’s on the edge of the box and rifles it home. Wow, you wait for one goal and two come along at one.
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GOAL! Spain 1-0 Costa Rica (OG Del Campo, 22)
Oh no! Bonmati crosses in and Solera can’t get to it, it hits Del Campo and it’s in the back of the net. The player looks distraught.
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20 min: Del Castillo attempts to cross in but it’s blocked and out for another corner. Solera comes out to meet the ball but it’s not a clean take and Paralluelo makes contact with the ball, it’s wide though! I thought the goal was coming there.
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18 min: Batlle passes to Bonmati but she can’t find Gonzalez, Spain are edging closer. Batlle manages to find pockets of space other players just couldn’t. Del Catillo finds Hermoso in the box but she can’t control. Spain keep coming, it’s relentless!
16 min: Another great challenge leads to yet another Spain corner. The ball comes in but it’s cleared well, if they can keep this defence up Spain will be frustrated.
14 min: Hermoso has a great bit of play to get into the box but Costa Rica box her out. All the pressure is raining down on the Costa Rica goal but they are doing well to defend so far. Hermoso gets a shot again but it’s blocked.
13 min: The ball comes in but Costa Rica clear, a few Spanish players calling for a penalty there! Will this game follow suit? Every game of the tournament so far has featured a penalty. Nothing has come of it so far.
12 min: F Villalobos makes a great challenge on Paralluelo but concedes a corner. It comes in and Andres gets a head to it and what a save! Solera stretches to put it over the bar! Another corner to come.
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11 min: How about this! Costa Rica counter and Herrera finds herself in front of goal but she takes a heavy touch and Spain are able to thwart the chance.
10 min: Chinchilla looked to have been fouled but the referee doesn’t give anything, boos come in from the crowd. Batlle makes a great run to create a chance! Gonzalz gets on the end of the cross with a backheel flick but it is just wide. That was so close.
8 min: Chinchilla is left adrift and has a lack of options which leads to Spain winning it back. Paralluelo shows what she can do with a one-two and it leads to a frantic exchange of possession but Spain get it back. Bonmati has a shot at goal but it is way wide. The goal is coming, it’s just a matter of time.
6 min: Another great ball in from Spain but Del Castillo can’t get her head to it. They try and get it back in the box but Costa Rica do really well to close it down. Salas is fouled and Costa Rica have possession, they get their first attack underway.
4 min: Spain, who like to play a possession-based game, have had the lion share of the ball but Herrera read a play well to intercept. Spain won the ball back quickly but Costa Rica are capable of punching holes. A ball came into the box and Paralluelo tried to control but Costa Rica managed to clear.
2 min: Spain have been dominant in possession so far, Bonmati can’t get on the end of a long pass as the team looked to press for an early opener.
Kick-off! Spain 0-0 Costa Rica
We are underway! The fifth game of the tournament has begun.
Here we go then! Remember Costa Rica may be the underdogs but they did score 53 goals in qualifying without conceding, they could cause an upset here. Just a few minutes away …
Lovely quote on the BBC there: “Can Spain be divided but still conquer?” They still have a strong squad! The anthems are taking place and then we will be underway.
So we are just over five minutes away from kick-off (8.30am BST, 5/30pm AEST, 7.30pm local time). Any predictions for this one? Spain are the favourites! Andrew has already put in his guess, saying: “I’ve watched all the games so far here in Bangkok, Thailand (currently 2:20pm). For this game I’m looking at a chicken curry pie and a pack of BBQ chips (lunch, really), washed down with a can Hoegaarden wheat beer all from the 7-11 down the road. Game is probably going to be a Spain victory but sad to see such a fractured squad missing so many good players (e.g. Patri).” That sounds like a hearty meal! Yes it will be interesting to see Spain’s game without some significant players.
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Have you been reading our free weekly women’s football newsletter, Moving the Goalposts? It brings you exclusive features, news pieces and all the updates you need to know about the sport. You can sign up here:
Kurt has got in touch on email and said: “On a scale of 1 to 10 how likely will the USWNT win the FIFA Women’s World Cup? I give it a 8.” You know I think I would agree with you, they are strong favourites to retain the trophy but I think England are up there. Australia, if Sam Kerr is okay to return to the team, could also cause a few upsets!
A story that broke last night was England goalkeeper Mary Earps sharing her hurt at fans not being able to buy a replica of her shirt. You can read all the details:
Usually I would ask what snacks you are having while watching but as it’s so early the majority will be having breakfast! So instead I’ll ask what your go-to coffee order is. Mine is simple but effective, a latte. Let me know yours via Twitter or email.
Here is some information on Spain’s coach from our guide on the country: “Jorge Vilda wants to make history with Spain. The 42-year-old took over in 2015, when Ignacio Quereda was sacked after the World Cup in Canada, having failed to get out of the group in the country’s first appearance at the tournament. Vilda had been a stalwart of the coaching setups in Spain’s age-group teams, and in his tenure as senior manager he has promoted players such as Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro and Athenea del Castillo. As he prepares for his second World Cup at the helm, Vilda knows his team is one of the best on the planet.” Read the full guide:
A fun fact from our Costa Rica guide: “Sofía Varela, a forward for Costa Rica, has experienced two anterior cruciate ligament injuries, one in each leg. But she has never lost her joy for the game. Varela has tattoos of the Arenal Volcano, located in her home town of La Fortuna de San Carlos, and the map of Costa Rica. When she scores abroad, she proudly displays them in honour of her beloved country.” Read the full guide here:
I promised a closer look at some key players and so here they are. Below are some of the stars from Spain and Costa Rice to watch out for from our player interactive. We have created a profile for each of the 736 players at the World Cup, you can click through on the links below to look at any one of them.
Spain v Costa Rica is the third game of the day! Nigeria drew 0-0 with Canada earlier today, while the Philippines and Switzerland are just finishing up their match with the latter winning 2-0. Each of the games in the World Cup so far has involved a penalty, will Spain v Costa Rica follow suit? You can catch up on Nigeria v Canada and the live blog is still ongoing for the other match:
One of the most interesting calls from the selection is seeing Alexia Putellas’ name on the bench. She has not had many minutes since returning from her ACL injury though, which could be the reason.
The team news is in!
Spain starting XI: Misa; Batlle, Paredes, Andres, Carmona; Abelleira, Hermoso, Bonmati; Athenea, Paralluelo, Gonzalez
🔴 𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 I ¡Esta es la alineación de España!
— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) July 21, 2023
⭐️ ¡Aquí tenéis a las once futbolistas que saldrán de inicio en nuestro debut en el Mundial!
🆚 #ESP🇪🇸 - #CRC🇨🇷#JugarLucharYGanar I #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/Y45IuDLQRQ
Costa Rica starting XI: Solera; Benavides, F. Villalobos, Del Campo, Coto; Elizondo, G. Villalobos, Alvarado, Herrera, Chinchilla; Salas
¡Con esta alineación debuta nuestra Sele Mayor Femenina 🇨🇷❤️ en La Copa del Mundo!
— FCRF 🇨🇷 (@fedefutbolcrc) July 21, 2023
Costa Rica 🇨🇷 vs 🇪🇸 España
🏟 Estadio Regional de Wellington, Nueva Zelanda.
⏰ 1:30 a.m.
Presenta @kolbi_cr
Transmisión por @teletica7 #FCRF #LaSeleFemenina #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/cxm9cFWYKi
Preamble
Hello! It is day two of the World Cup and we have Spain v Costa Rica coming up in an hour’s time. The nations are in group C and the other two teams in the group, Zambia and Japan, will play one another on Saturday.
The favourites in this match will be Spain despite some players not making themselves available for the World Cup because of the conditions with the national set-up. 15 players protested over the issue in 2022 and 12 of the stars are not at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey and Ona Batlle are included.
Costa Rica will put up a strong test for their opponents but it will be if they can continue their defensive set-up over the course of 90 minutes. The team are at only their second World Cup and have the knock-out stages as their target for a successful tournament.
I will be highlighting some key players to watch out for shortly but first the teams have announced their starting line-ups. Stay tuned for all the updates coming shortly ahead of kick-off at 8.30am BST.
