No team has more footballers in the World Cup. In addition to the queens of Europe, FC Barcelona players also rule the world. Up to 18 Blaugrana are participating these days in the tournament hosted by Australia and New Zealand, a number that no team had achieved before. Half participate in the Spain shirt, the other half, in seven other selections.
The hegemony of Barça is such that only 3 of these 18 footballers – all three, Spanish – have run out of minutes in the first day of the group stage. They are substitute goalkeeper Cata Coll, defender Laia Codina and young María Pérez, from the subsidiary.
Pérez is not the only Barça B footballer in this World Cup, something completely unusual. Also participating with Italy is Giulia Dragoni, who at 16 years and 198 days has become the ninth youngest player to debut in a World Cup – the sixth as a starter. Last summer she joined the Blaugrana team, and became the first foreigner to live at the Masia. Yesterday he made his debut with the Azzurri, in the victory (1-0) over Argentina, showing a bar and a daring in the center of the field unbecoming of his age.
The other proper name of the first day of the tournament was that of Fridolina Rolfö. The Swedish footballer lived through the face and the cross in the triumph against South Africa (2-1). He scored his team’s first goal but had to leave the field in the 67th minute due to problems with his knee. An injury that could make her go through the operating room after the World Cup. A headache for Barça, who would be without their indisputable left back.
In terms of results, it was a good day for the footballers of the culer team and practically all of them won. Crnogorcevic’s Switzerland beat the Philippines 0-2 and England also beat Haiti (1-0) with Bronze and Walsh. All three were starters and played the full 90 minutes. Geyse also won with Brazil (4-0), but did not take the field against Panama until the 59th minute.
Triumphs to which Spain (3-0) is added in its debut on Friday against Costa Rica, with a goal and MVP for Aitana Bonmatí. There were four Barça footballers who appeared in the starting eleven for La Roja: Bonmatí, Ona Batlle, Paredes and Paralluelo. In addition, Mariona Caldentey and Alexia Putellas had some minutes in the second half.
On the other hand, Asisat Oshoala’s Nigeria, who also started and played the whole match, drew without goals against the reigning Olympic champions, Canada, and the only defeat was experienced by Caroline Graham Hansen and Ingrid Engen with Norway. A disappointing debut in which they went down narrowly against co-hosts New Zealand. Engen herself admitted after the match that she had not shown her best version.
Great premiere for most of the Barcelona players participating in this World Cup. Today (10 a.m., TDP) the second day of the group stage begins with the first match between the Blaugrana, Switzerland-Norway, almost decisive for the Nordics if they want to be in the round of 16.
