WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — With three targets in 4 minutes in the course of a lopsided first half, Spain shattered Costa Rica’s resistance, created the inspiration of a convincing 3-0 win Friday and despatched a warning to rivals on the Women’s World Cup.

Speculation that Spain was a staff weakened by accidents was deceptive. They had greater than 80% of possession by halftime, 12 corners, 15 pictures on purpose and had put to relaxation any issues over injured gamers left behind. That the second half didn’t match the primary was of little concern.

Spain started its marketing campaign with a efficiency that demanded consideration and brightened a bitter winter’s night time in Wellington.

Two-time Ballon d’Or-winner Alexis Putellas began on the bench, wasn’t wanted till the 77th minute, and went on to a rousing ovation after her lengthy harm battle.

Though they attacked relentlessly, Spain wanted 22 minutes till it opened the scoring - and that got here from an personal purpose. Aitana Bonmati lower the ball again throughout purpose from the left and Valeria del Campo, trying to clear, sliced the ball into her personal web.

Bonmati scored herself a minute later, putting the ball laborious and low from the sting of the field. Two minutes later, Esther Gonzalez was available so as to add the third. It mattered little when Jennifer Hermoso missed from the penalty spot within the thirty second, her shot saved by Daniela Solera.

On an evening when a merciless southerly wind and stinging rain may need dimmed the spirit and annoyed journey, Spain was fearless and resilient.

Bonmati was consistently on the hub of issues as she had been in Putellas’ absence and for Barcelona when she was MVP on this 12 months’s Champions league. Barcelona offered the spine of this Spanish staff and its inspiration, its engine.

Though the second half didn’t match the primary, Spain nonetheless stamped on the match a efficiency to be savored. When the world champion U.S. staff takes the sector for the primary time on Saturday in Group E, it is going to be within the shadow of the Spain’s efficiency and that is perhaps the usual by which it's measured.

While it didn’t add to its tally within the second half, Spain completed with 45 pictures on purpose, in itself a testomony to its effort and intention.

Costa Rica lifted itself within the second half and competed with extra vigor, defended with extra rigidity. Sheika Scott made an look from the bench at 16, one of many youngest gamers within the match.

And Solera marked her twenty sixth birthday along with her excellent penalty save.

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