Matchday 5 - Player of the Match

Group B was first up, with both games kicking off at 5pm local time. Mexico faced Germany in the Alajuela Morera Soto Stadium, while Colombia and New Zealand went head-to-head at the Estadio Nacional.

Mexico 1-0 Germany

Player of the Match: (1) Celeste Espino (MEX)

A fascinating game unfolded here between two sides with contrasting styles. Germany looked to build through the thirds, frequently switching the play as they approached the final third, while Mexico opted for an aggressive pressing game with fast, potent counter-attacks. 

The first half was closely contested and quite open, but the 0-0 half-time scoreline meant it was all to play for in the second half, with both teams knowing a win would secure progress to the quarter-finals. 

Both goalkeepers were called into action in this match. Germany’s Julia Kassen worked well with her defenders to close down space and block Mexican attacks, but 11 minutes into the second half Mexico broke the deadlock from a free kick. Daniela Monroy's right-footed delivery was contested by Kinberly Guzmán and the loose ball fell sweetly for Alexia Villanueva, who volleyed into the net. 

Crucially for Mexico, three big saves from goalkeeper Celeste Espino secured a clean sheet and put them through to the last eight of the competition. Analysing her performance, Pascal Zuberbühler said, “I really liked her presence in the box and her confidence in the way she came to claim high balls. She was brave and, even in the stands, we could see how determined she was to keep a clean sheet with her defence.” 

“She made a huge double save to keep the score at 0-0 and it was so important, and you could see her confidence growing as the game went on. She showed great leadership and personality in her penalty area, and she gave confidence to her defenders. A goalkeeper can really grow in their development after a performance like this one, especially in a tournament. We are looking forward to seeing her again,” added Zuberbühler. 

Colombia 2-2 New Zealand

Player of the Match: (11) Linda Caicedo (COL)

Having already beaten Germany and drawn with Mexico, Colombia came into the final round of Group B matches on top of the table. They faced a New Zealand side who were difficult to break down and could pose a real attacking threat.

 The two teams played out an eventful match at the Estadio Nacional, one that saw New Zealand take the lead after just three minutes when Emily Clegg scored a sensational goal. After getting on the end of a sublime line-breaking pass by Marisa van der Meer, she cut inside before curling her shot beyond the goalkeeper and inside the far post. 

Colombia's equaliser came only seven minutes later, and Linda Caicedo's strike from just outside the penalty area was every bit as impressive as the game's opener. However, Colombia suffered a setback just before half-time when they were reduced to ten players after Yirleidys Minota received a red card. 

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Colombia took a 63^rd minute lead as Caicedo scored a wonderful solo goal to make it 2-1. However, Charlotte Lancaster soon made it 2-2 with a stunning strike from the corner of the penalty area that left goalkeeper Natalia Giraldo with no chance.    

Two goals and another standout performance earned Linda Caicedo the Player of the Match award for a second time in this tournament. Mónica Vergara observed the game for the Technical Study Group, and she had high praise for the Colombian forward. 

“She is such a technical player and knows how to use her body in different types of situations. She always tries to be open so she can receive the ball and allow the ball to move forward. In counter-attacking situations, she is dangerous for her opponents because she loves to go 1v1,” Vergara explained. 

“Her game intelligence is very high, and also her tactical awareness. She reads the game and does the hard work for her team when they do not have the ball. She understands exactly what's needed from her in different moments of the game.”  

Group A entered its final round with Brazil, Spain and Australia all knowing that victory would secure their progress to the last eight of the competition. Simultaneous kick-offs saw Australia face Spain in the Alajuela Morera Soto Stadium while Brazil went up against hosts Costa Rica in the Estadio Nacional. 

Australia 0-3 Spain 

Player of the Match: (9) Inma Gabarro (ESP)

Spain signalled strong intent in the opening minutes of this game, with Ariadna Mingueza's early shot from the edge of the box being tipped over the bar, but Australia quickly established a rhythm of their own, forcing Pedro Lòpez' team to defend. 

Nevertheless, it was Spain’s fast passing and movement that led to the game's opening goal in the 19^th minute. A wonderfully crafted passage of play saw Ane Elexpuru play Jùlia Bartel in behind the Australian defensive line. Her low cross was inch-perfect for the onrushing Inma Gabarro, who made no mistake with her finishing touch.

Just five minutes later, Gabarro had her second of the game and her third in the competition. This time right-back Esther Laborde was the provider, but Gabarro's explosive movement to come from behind centre-back Naomi Chinnama was sublime, and she again finished smartly to double her team's advantage. Just after the hour mark she secured her hat-trick, connecting perfectly with a loose ball after Ella Tonkin blocked a shot.  

Gabarro's hat-trick and all-round centre-forward play greatly impressed the Technical Study Group's Anja Mittag, and she was awarded the Player of the Match. As Mittag explained:

“Her movement for the first two goals was excellent. She dragged defenders into places they did not want to be and therefore created the space she wanted to accelerate into. Her team-mates had a great synergy with her and knew what she would do, because the crosses she got were absolutely perfect for her runs.”

 “She never stopped moving, and that makes her so difficult to defend against. And she had the ability to always be in the right place at the right time. Her third goal was a classic example of this. For the loose ball, she was exactly where you would want your centre-forward to be and her finish was perfect,” Mittag added. 

“As a centre-forward, you need to work hard to be in the game and she was excellent at doing exactly that for the whole time she was on the pitch,” she said. 

 Brazil 5-0 Costa Rica

Player of the Match: (18) Rafa Levis (BRA)

Meanwhile, at the Estadio Nacional, Brazil secured their place in the quarter-finals courtesy of a 5-0 victory over a valiant Costa Rica side. 

The host nation were defiant in their defensive efforts, but Brazil finally found a way through in the 27^th minute when Rafa Levis's shot from outside the box somehow evaded the entire Costa Rica defence and nestled in the corner of the goal. 

Ten minutes later, Brazil were awarded a penalty, but a fine save from Genesis Pérez denied Luany and kept the score at 1-0 going in at half-time. However, just seven minutes into the second half Brazil got another penalty after Celeste Jimenez was judged to have handled in the area, and Rafa Levis converted the spot-kick to make it 2-0. 

Two more goals followed from Pati Maldaner and Aline, but by that time the result of the match was already beyond doubt, a comfortable victory securing a second-place finish in the group for Brazil.

It was the performance of the penalty scorer that caught the eye of our Technical Study Group. After watching the match, Mónica Vergara said, “Rafa Levis is a very clever player and plays as a false nine. She plays between the opponent's midfield and defensive lines and is very difficult for defenders to pick up. She's also excellent at moving to receive the ball in behind the opposition's last defensive line.” 

“She has very good technical skills and has great game awareness. She knows where to be and what to do with the ball when she gets it. She works hard to get into great positions, and her two goals are great examples of this. Defensively, she was also very good for her team, pressing intensely in the final third", Vergara concluded.