Around 1500 days after the finale of France 2018, the tenth edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ got underway on Wednesday 10 August, with 326 players from 16 countries dreaming of hoisting the trophy aloft in two-and-a-half weeks’ time.
Costa Rica had history within their grasp in Group A , the host nation leading 1-0 during the first half at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose, to the delight of over 20,000 fans who had previously been treated to a firework display. Australia turned the match around before the break however, leaving Las Ticas still in search of their first point after seven attempts in this version of the tournament. Prior to that match, Brazil and Spain played out a goalless draw.
In Group B, record tournament-winners Germany got off to a disappointing start as Colombia scored the only goal of the game – and the first at Costa Rica 2022 – late on to take the three points and top the table. New Zealand and Mexico then went on to draw 1-1.
Results
Group A
- Spain 0-0 Brazil
- Player of the match: LUANY (BRA)
Costa Rica 1-3 Australia
Player of the match: Daniela GALIC (AUS)
Group B
- Germany 0-1 Colombia
- Player of the match: Linda CAICEDO (COL)
New Zealand 1-1 Mexico
- Player of the match: Natalia MAULEON (MEX)
Memorable moments
Munoz scores first goal of the tournament
Mariana Munoz came on for Colombia against Germany in the 72nd minute and, just 180 seconds before the final whistle, found the bottom left-hand corner from 14 metres out to score the winner and only goal of the game.
Musical introduction
The official tournament anthem Vamos Juntas, featuring Rebeca Malavassi, Tony Succar, Isabella Castro Gamez and the female choir of the Franz Liszt School, was performed live ahead of the host nation’s match against Australia. The song has been written to send out a strong and inspiring message of empowerment, unity and solidarity.
The quotes
"It was the kind of match we expected – tough and full of duels. We didn’t manage to get ourselves into the game and couldn’t implement what we had set out to do. The girls were up for it but we took a knock-out punch right at the end, and we need to learn our lessons from it." Kathrin Peter (Germany coach)
"The opening game is all about getting a feel for the tournament and finding your rhythm. We played a good match, fought hard and came up against some strong opposition. It ended up being quite a battle." - Adriana Nanclares (Spain goalkeeper)
THE STATS
6 - New Zealand have now gone six games in a row at the FIFA-U-20 Women’s World Cup without a win. The Kiwis' last victory came against Ghana (1-0) in the opening match of the 2016 tournament.
1 - When Brazil meet European opposition at this tournament, the odds are very much on a draw. Five of the South Americans' last six U-20 Women’s World Cup matches against teams from the old continent have ended with a share of the spoils.
