Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup: Matchday one preview

Matchday one of the Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 features the hosts, the joint-record three-time champions and arguably the most mouth-watering matchup of the group stage. Watch the action live on SuperSport.

Fixtures

Wednesday, 10 August (Kick-off times local)

Group A

Spain-Brazil – 17:00, Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San Jose

Costa Rica-Australia – 20:00, Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San Jose

Group B

Germany-Colombia – 11:00, Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, Alajuela

New Zealand-Mexico – 14:00, Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, Alajuela

Talking points

Supporters were salivating when the draw determined Brazil and Spain, producers of girl wonders galore, would be colliding. Marta, Cristiane and Debinha have all shone in the tournament in canary-yellow, while Veronica Boquete, Aitana Bonmati, Mariona Caldentey and Patri Guijarro have all done so in red. Which Brazilian or Spanish starlets will the sport be talking about post-match?

Costa Rica is abuzz with Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup fever. Buoyed on by their fans, can Las Ticas, who admirably gave the mighty Germany trouble in a 4-2 loss in their competition debut in 2010, make history and thrill a nation against the Young Matildas?

Germany have won eight of their nine Fifa U-20 Women's World Cup curtain-raisers, but can they stop one of the game's brightest prospects in 17-year-old Colombia winger Linda Caicedo?

Several players with senior international experience are set for action on the opening day. How big a difference will the likes of Jessika Nash (Australia), Bruninha, Lauren, (Brazil), Gisela Robledo (Colombia), Maria Paula Porras, Maria Paula Salas (Costa Rica), Ava Collins and Marisa van der Meer (New Zealand) make?

Mexico and New Zealand made history at the last Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup, finishing second and third respectively. Having dazzled in its baby sister, can El Tri sorceress Anette Vazquez and Junior Football Ferns' Grace Wisnewski and Marisa van der Meer take the U-20 finals by storm?

Stats

127 - Germany have scored 127 goals in the tournament – 26 more than cloest challengers USA. The Germans’ goals-per-game ratio (2.65) is significantly superior to the Americans’ (2.15).

16 - Australia will play their first Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup game in 16 years in San Jose. The Young Matildas’ current coach, Leah Blayney, was an unused substitute in their last appearance in the competition: a 1-1 draw with Russia in 2006.

4 - Host nations have won four and lost four of their opening matches at the nine previous editions. Germany, who lifted the trophy in Bielefeld in 2010, remain the only hosts to have emerged triumphant.

Quotes

“It's really exciting. It is such a major tournament, and especially for women’s football in Australia. It’s a really big thing. You just have to go in with high expectations and just belief and confidence in yourself that we can stick it to the best.” Sarah Hunter, Australia midfielder

“A solid defence is essential to win a World Cup. This was mentioned by Pia [Sundhage] and [Lillie] Persson. They talk about it. Brazil has individual talent, but our defensive game has always been lacking. But we can’t forget our [attacking] roots], our identity, which is what makes Brazilian football recognised all over the world.”Jonas Urias, Brazil coach.

Source: FIFA.com