By Ivan Yeo
Spain 1, Costa Rica 1
Just a year after the men’s team made a surprise run to the quarterfinals, could the Ticas be giving hints of a similar run?
It certainly felt that way after Wednesday’s result in Montreal, as Costa Rica didn’t even blink after surrendering the opening goal, as they answered right back with the equalizer and held on for the draw.
Spain got out to the lead in the 13th minute, as Sonia Bermudez played a ball into the penalty area, Vicky Losada got the ball and fired a left-footed volley in traffic that beat keeper Dinnia Diaz far post to stake the Spaniards to the lead.
However, it took Costa Rica just a minute to respond. Adriana Venegas chested a ball to Lixy Rodriguez, who then sprinted for the penalty area. Rodriguez took the ball to the endline, crossed into the six-yard box and the cross found its way past traffic and Raquel Rodriguez tapped the ball into an open net at her near post to level matters.
Brazil 2, South Korea 0
Records were set in the second game by the Brazilians in its Group E opener. Formiga joined Japan’s Homare Sawa in making her sixth World Cup appearance and also became the oldest player to score in the tournament, while Marta became the World Cup’s all-time leading goal-scorer as Brazil opened its World Cup with the crucial three points.
The moment came for the 37-year old Formiga in the 33rd minute. Cristiane dribbled the ball through traffic deep in South Korean territory, played a ball forward, South Korea’s Kim Do-yeon attempted a back pass towards keeper Kim Jung-mi, but the pass was soft and Formiga ran and touched a ball past Jung-mi into the back net to stake the Brazilians to the lead.
Brazil sealed the three points in the second half. It started in the 52nd minute as Formiga chased an open ball inside the penalty area, Cho So-hyun stuck out her right leg for the challenge, but ended up tangling and taking down Formiga and the referee officially signaled for the penalty spot. A minute later, Marta buried the penalty to the lower left corner to make it a two-goal lead for Brazil and also her 15th career World Cup goal.
