Spain will face Costa Rica this Friday in its debut in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, a match that will be played at the Regional Stadium in Wellington. There is only one precedent between the two teams, a tie in the 2015 World Cup (1-1).

It has rained a lot since that game. Jorge Vilda’s team arrives as one of the contenders for the world scepter, with players like Alexia Putellas, Salma Paralluelo or Aitana Bonmatí.

Spain arrives with excellent feelings at the debut. In the last friendly match, the team clearly beat Vietnam 9-0. La Roja demonstrated superiority on the pitch and great cohesion of the entire team, transmitting very positive feelings.

“It’s true that the first match is always special but it’s not our first time, it’s not our first World Cup and we’re used to big matches, big venues, so I hope these nerves we may have go away quickly,” Irene Paredes said, speaking to Efe.

The great unknown for the Spanish team continues to be the physical condition of Putellas, who has trained separately and at a different pace in some sessions, although he has returned to normal in recent days.

The match between Spain and Costa Rica of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be played this Friday, July 21, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting can be seen on television on RTVE’s La 2 and can also be followed live on the La Vanguardia website.