Costa Rica battle back to earn hard-fought draw against Spain
Spain and Costa Rica shared the points in the vast Montreal Olympic Stadium on Tuesday afternoon as they opened Women's World Cup Group E play with a 1-1 draw. Both teams were making their World Cup debut and the result probably left Costa Rica feeling the happier side after they contained a Spanish attack that too often flattered to deceive.
Vicky Losada gave Spain the early lead and nearly snatched a late-game winner only see Dinnia Diaz parry her shot around the top left corner with the best save of the match. Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno answered Losada's 13th-minute goal with a strike just 74 seconds later as Costa Rica got back on level terms and never let that position slip.
Brazil defeated Korea Republic 2-0 in Tuesday’s other Group E match.
Spain came in as favorites after years on the fringe in Europe and had more of the possession but they were unable to get their front-runners enough serious looks as the Costa Ricans harried effectively in midfield and maintained their defensive intensity throughout. When the chances appeared the Spaniards lacked the necessary precision to make them count.
“We knew that the Costa Ricans would be highly organized and keep their shape well, defending as a unit and closing the ball down quickly,” Spain coach Ignacio Quereda was quoted as saying on FIFA’s website. “We tried to attack down the wings as much as possible. I think we controlled the game and created the better chances, but we couldn’t maintain that level of intensity and, more importantly, we failed to take the chances we created. And in a tournament like this one, you pay the price for mistakes like that.”
Losada put Spain on top when a quickly played corner seemed to catch the Costa Rica defense napping. Two quick passes found Losada in space 12 yards out in the center of the penalty area from where she turned smartly and lashed her shot home.
Just over a minute later it was Costa Rica on level terms after Lixy Rodriguez blasted down the left side and crossed for a wide-open Cedeno to tap-in at the far post.
Spain might have gone back on top 10 minutes later but Katherine Alvarado and Diana Saenz combined to sweep a chance off the Costa Rica goal line when Alexia Putellas headed a corner goalward. The Spanish defense then had a let-off at the other end in the 28th minute when Barrantes got clear on the right but pulled her shot across the face of goal and past the far post.
Spain began to assert more control after the interval and Jennifer Hermoso had a 50th-minute chance to get her side immediately back on top only to hit her 18-yard shot past an open left corner after Vero Boquete had done the approach work. Next, Boquete's strong run in the 61st minute created an opening for Sonia Bermudez, but the resulting shot flew past the far post. The ball fell favorably for Boquete in the 81st minute, but she lifted her 14-yard attempt well over the bar. Then Diaz beat Losada when Spain created one more opening.
Costa Rica was limited to the occasional second half counter but kept its defensive shape well and prevented Spain from completing the needed passes in the danger area as they proved themselves on the big stage.
“It was an extremely intense match,” Costa Rica coach Amalia Valverde told FIFA. “Spain controlled the game but that was to be expected. Our defensive work saved us -- we knew that our opponents were dangerous down the flanks and in the air, and the girls did a great job in those areas. Due to some great saves from Dinnia Diaz and our ability to take the one chance that we did get, it almost feels like a victory.”
Spain will meet Brazil on Saturday in their second group game before Korea Republic faces Costa Rica later that night.
