Game 5 - Spain vs Costa Rica

Not to be too dismissive of Costa Rica but this feels like a battle between Spain’s undeniable quality and the impact of internal divisions. Despite public dissatisfaction with their coach, he remains in place and the squad is weaker than it should be as a result. As many as 12 potential members have been left at home and we‘re about to find out if that is going to matter. Unfortunately for the Central Americans it’s probably not going to be them who exposes any frailties.

Interesting to see Putellas on the bench but I guess it’s an indication of how much of a threat will be offered by today’s opponents. No need to risk her today.

2 min: Already we can see the two Spanish full backs pushing up very high when they are in possession. Batile immediately showcases that with a dangerous cross from the right. In balance, central midfielder Teresa Abelleira is dropping very deep to pick up the ball and drive Spain forward.

7 min: This is obviously a pretty dramatic mismatch. One very immediate observation - Spain’s 19 year old attacker Salma Paralluelo is a serious excitement machine.

9 min: Ooh, close. A Gonzalez flick at the near post goes close before Costa Rica break at the other end but Herrera doesn’t quite have the pace or composure to take advantage. All happening as Vega, the Costa Rican keeper, has to palm a header over the bar.

14 min: It’s a matter of time for Spain. They are starting to find pockets of space in the box now but haven’t quite found an opportunity for a clear shit at goal. The Costa Ricans are sitting VERY deep.

18 min: liking del Castillo on the right wing for Spain as well. Really tricky and direct. Extremely quick feet and she’s causing problems every time she’s on the ball.

21 min: 1-0 Spain. A lovely ball from Bonmati frees Gonzalez on the left hand side of the 18 yard box. She fires across goal and del Campo can’t sort her feet and deflects into her own net.

23 min: and it’s 2-0. After lovely work down the right from del Castillo who drives into the box the fall falls to Batile who pulls it back to Bonmati. She’s surrounded by defenders but shifts the ball on to her left foot and from 12 yards curls the ball into the bottom left hand corner. Lovely goal.

25 min: it’s all happening down Spain’s right at the moment. The triangle of Batile, del Castillo and Bonmati who keeps drifting out from the middle of the park is craving the Costa Ricns apart. As if to prove the point, Batile crosses and a Gonzalez header forces a decent save from Vega.

27 min: it’s 3. Another cross from Batile causes mayhem, Hermoos hitting the bar when it was easier to score. However, the ball drops to Gonzalez who hooks it in from 6 yards out. This should be double figures.

32 min: This is reminding me of another Europe/Central America clash, all the way back in 1982 when Hungary beat El Salvador 10-1 at the Men’s World Cup. Fast forward a decade from now and I suspect this same match up will be a lot more competitive.

33 min: hmmm, a penalty given for a challenge on Spanish left back Carmona. Hint of a dive perhaps? Anyway, justice done - Vega saves from Hermoso.

41 min: Complacency? A mix up between the Spanish keeper and Irene Paredes, who under it’s a pass back when under absolutely no pressure, and Herrera almost profits. Spain just manage to clear.

Half Time: It’s a difficult one to summarise as the gulf in ability between the sides is enormous. From Costa Rica’s perspective, they have worked hard and you can’t question their commitment but I'd be surprised if they managed a point at this tournament. There is nothing to suggest they’ll be able to break teams down.

So, Spain. Everything has to be couched in what this performance means moving forward. I think they’re a three things worth highlighting. First, Abelleira and, to a degree, Hermosillo are controlling the middle of the park. They are both excellent technicians. However, they aren’t going to have this much time and space moving forward so it’s difficult to make a call on how they’ll fare against the better sides. Second, Gonzalez is a real threat in the air and that seems repeatable.…provided the quality of the Spanish delivery remains high. Which brings me to my third takeout. Spain’s right flank is going to cause major problems for anyone - Batile is the best full back I’ve seen to date. Bonmati is an excellent player and adept at finding pockets of space both in and out of the box, and del Castillo is an old school winger. Fast and tricky. If her crossing is as good as her dribbling, then look out.

49 min: Green shoots for Costa Rica, and maybe we have the first hint of an answer to a half time question. Abelleira doesn't deal well at all with some actual pressure, loses possession and Costa Rica drive forward albeit with no success as a cross flashes across the box. Moments later, Carmona finds some space on the corner of the box and clips the bar with a driving left footed shot.

52 min: And we're back to the pattern of the first half. Lovely work on the left from Paralluelo, skinning the full back and almost finding Gonzalez in the middle. Almost 4! Bonmati turns beautifully in the middle of the park, laying it wide to del Castillo who finds Gonzalez and she sees her shot deflected wide for a corner. I'm hugely impressed by Bonmati. No surprise she plays for Barcelona - adding her club team mate Putellas to the mix is going to see some sexy stuff being played for the rest of the tournament.

56 min: Almost a goal of the tournament contender from Paralluelo - she weaves past three defenders before seeing her rising shot turned over the bar by Vega. From the resultant corner, Carmona tests Vega again and she saves well. A header from the next corner is saved. This is like a keeper's practice session at the moment!

60 min: Paredes gives the ball away and Costa Rica finally commit some numbers forward. They win a corner....defended well though. Just checked the stats and Spain have had 35, yes 35, shots already. Can they hit 50 for the match?

62 min: Chinchilla has probably been the standout for Costa Rica. She looks reasonable on the ball and, for a wide forward, has put in a real shift defensively.

65 min: del Castillo off so Paralluelo comes over to the right hand side where she'll be cutting inside on to her left foot. As I write that she brings a long ball down on her instep from waist height. Kills it dead. She's going to be a real star in a couple of years.

70 min: You have to acknowledge Costa Rica's performance here in the second half. They haven't had much of the ball but have been disciplined, stayed on their feet and made it difficult for the Spanish to play through them. Probably helped a little by a slight drop off in the quality of delivery into the box but they can be proud of their efforts.

75 min: Carmona likes a long range effort. Another decent strike flies a foot or two over the bar from 25 yards. She'll connect with one at some point. As I write that the rain starts coming down hard just as two time Ballon d'Or winner Alexei Putellas enters the fray.

83 min: Obvious to see Putellas' quality. Her movement is so intelligent and she has this Messi like ability to drift into space between the lines. She must have picked the ball up four or five times already in behind the Costa Rican midfield. It will be interesting to see how they line up when she's back in the starting XI. Do they drop Hermoso and have Putellas playing that role near the edge of the box? Or push Hermoso further forward and sacrifice Paralluelo or del Castillo? Not sure we'll know for sure until the final group game against Japan.

90 min: Just drifting to the final whistle now. All Spain in possession, a couple of half chance, a Costa Rican block, another Carmona shot from distance, another good Vega save, this time from Redondo.....rinse and repeat.

FULL TIME: A very comfortable 3-0 win for Spain. Probably should have been more but, in a weird way, both teams will probably be satisfied with the result. Costa Rica were looking at a battering after 25 minutes but defended well albeit riding their luck a little. Spain had a good run out, worked on their attacking shape and came out of the match healthy and, I imagine, sharper.

WOTM was, pretty clearly, Aitana Bonmati. She was hugely impressive and will form one of the best midfields in the tournament once Putellas is fully up to speed. Hermoso was good as well but, if I'm being harsh, showed a little more flair than end product today. Battle and del Castillo weren't as effective in the second half, nor was Abelleira but all three were very good in the first 45 mins.

That's all for now. Looking forward to seeing Spain in their next couple of matches while Costa Rica will hope to show a little more threat moving forward. Take care!