Esther Gonzalez of Spain celebrates after scoring a goal against Costa Rica during their FIFA Women’s World Cup Group C match in Wellington. Photo: Photosport
Spain began their Women's World Cup campaign in scintillating fashion by beating Costa Rica 3-0 in their Group C opener thanks to an own goal and first-half strikes from Aitana Bonmati and Esther Gonzalez in Wellington.
The teams had played out a draw when they faced each other on their World Cup debuts in 2015 but Spain are now sixth in the women's rankings and it showed in their technical and physical superiority as they scored three times in a six-minute blitz.
Costa Rica goalkeeper Daniela Solera saved a first-half penalty, but Spain were never threatened at the other end and went top of their group ahead of Japan's game against Zambia on Saturday.
"Sometimes our players missed the target but they played really well," Spain coach Jorge Vilda told reporters. "Obviously we had more opportunities than we actually took advantage of... We could have been more active in certain plays."
Twice Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas was named among Spain's substitutes as she makes her way back to full fitness, but their most-capped player was not needed in the first half as Bonmati and Esther ran riot in Costa Rica's box.
"We are going to follow the medical team's recommendations and they said for today that Alexia could play a little bit. Every single minute from her really counts," Vilda said after Putellas played the last 15 minutes.
In the pouring rain, Spain dominated possession and pegged Costa Rica back inside their own half right from kickoff, with Athenea del Castillo narrowly firing wide while Ivana Andres saw her header tipped over the bar.
But the relentless pressure finally paid off in the 21st minute when Gonzalez's cross was turned in by Costa Rica's Valeria del Campo.
Only two minutes later Spain quickly regained possession and a fine cutback set up Bonmati, who smartly evaded two defenders to curl home Spain's second.
The Barcelona midfielder had been pulling the strings in the final third for Spain despite a wall of white shirts in the box and she deservedly earned the player of the match award.
Costa Rica could have conceded more if not for the heroics of Solera in goal as she made timely interventions and reflex saves.
However, she could do nothing as Gonzalez scored the third from a rebound off the post.
Solera gave Costa Rica another lifeline when she saved Jennifer Hermoso's penalty and she was in fine form in the second half too to frustrate Spain.
Switzerland beat Philippines
Switzerland made a winning start to the tournament 2-0 victory over debutants Philippines in Dunedin thanks to Ramona Bachmann's first-half penalty and a close-range effort from Seraina Piubel.
Inka Grings' side were awarded a penalty by VAR after midfielder Coumba Sow was caught by a stray boot from Jessika Cowart in the box late in the first half, with forward Bachmann coolly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.
"I wasn't that nervous, but I knew it was an important moment," Bachmann told reporters.
"I knew that it would be important for our team to get to half-time with a 1-0 so I was really focused and I obviously tried to score, but I feel quite confident in shooting penalties. So I was really calm."
Switzerland's Geraldine Reuteler in action against the Philippines in their FIFA World Cup group match in Dunedin. Photo: Photosport
The Philippines, coached by former Matildas manager Alen Stajcic, made history as they became the first team from their country - male or female - to appear at the finals of a global soccer tournament.
And they were denied an early opener when midfielder Katrina Guillou's strike was ruled out for offside.
Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, Switzerland's top scorer and most capped player, fired over from close range before Bachmann's penalty put them ahead.
Switzerland dominated the second half and deservedly doubled their lead through midfielder Piubel, who smashed home in the 64th minute after McDaniel denied Crnogorcevic and Sow.
Nigeria and Canada stalemate
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie saved a penalty to help Nigeria secure a valuable 0-0 draw against Olympic champions Canada in a result that threw the group wide open.
Nnadozie denied Christine Sinclair from the spot in the 50th minute with a low dive to her left as the Canada skipper missed out on becoming the first player to score in six World Cups in front of 21,000 fans at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
At the end of a scrappy, bruising contest, Nigeria were down to 10 via a late red card and both teams earned a point to trail Group B leaders Australia by two following the co-hosts' 1-0 win over Ireland on Thursday.
"We've got to move on very quickly, you know, you can get lost and be really down on that," said Canada coach Bev Priestman, whose team next faces Ireland in Perth on Wednesday.
"Of course the team and I am devastated. We didn't get three points. But at the end of the day we got one and we took two from another team."
Both sides had their chances but 40-year-old Sinclair, who came off ashen-faced in the 70th minute, was perhaps the most frustrated, having also missed a good opportunity when she fired wide in the ninth minute.
Nigeria, the lowest-ranked team in the group, defended desperately to hold out the Canadians, and a roaring Nnadozie slumped to her knees, pumping her fists in celebration after the final whistle.
Nigeria's joy was tempered by a red card, upgraded from yellow by VAR, for midfielder Deborah Abiodun after a studs-up tackle deep in stoppage time. She will miss their next game against Australia.
- Reuters