WWC Group C 🇪🇸🇨🇷🇿🇲🇯🇵 Spotlight on Spain | OneFootball

New faces make up Group C as shaken-up squads, a returnee and a debutant battle for a knockout spot. And one set of players in particular find themselves under the spotlight.

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Who is in Group C?

The favourites

It’s likely a toss-up between two sides.

An ever-present side at the Women’s World Cup with this their ninth ninth appearances, 2011 winners and 2015 finalists Japan will look to take advantage of Spain’s internal issues to take control of Group C.

A vital chunk of La Roja’s usual squad resigned from international duty relating to conflict with current manager Jorge Vilda and it remains to be seen what shape they’re in.

What’s the key game?

The decisive fixture will see the two heavyweights round out group stage action as Japan and Spain face each other on the final matchday.

Can you give me a player to watch for every team?

Salma Paralluelo (Spain)

La Roja have heaps of stars this campaign, but one talent making a name for herself is a daring 19-year-old. Earning game time and providing 12 goals and five assists for a star-studded Barcelona in Liga F and Uefa Women’s Champions League action is no small feat. If her trajectory continues internationally, we could have a potential Ballon d’Or winner.

Raquel Rodríquez (Costa Rica)

Costa Rica return to the big stage after eight years for their second appearance. After scoring the country’s first-ever World Cup goal (against Spain, ironically!), the Portland Thorns midfielder and international all-time leading scorer will use her acquired leadership to help reach their minimum target of the last 16.

Barbra Banda (Zambia)

A breakout at the Tokyo Olympics put the Copper Queens’ star striker on the map. Becoming the first player to score back-to-back hat-tricks at the tournament (at 21!), all eyes will be on the captain. But Zambia did qualify without her, so the squad has plenty of talent.

Saki Kumagai (Japan)

A Champions League winner with Lyon, a Bundesliga winner with Bayern Munich, a solid defender and leader from the back with 134 caps, Saki Kumagai will be vital for Japan. An extremely composed centre-half who just joined Roma, Kumagai won the World Cup back in 2011 and could be playing at her last finals.

And the big storyline?

As the group’s top-ranked side boasting incredible talent that has dominated with Barcelona, there is pressure on Spain to win silverware. However, ongoing issues with their federation have left a crater-sized divide among the players.

Fifteen players initially resigned from international duty due to issues with Vilda, and only three (Aitana Bonmatí, Ona Batlle and Mariona Caldentey) have rejoined the squad.

Key Barcelona names Patri Guijarro, Mapi León, and goalkeeper Sandra Paños are among those to miss out. How the previously involved players react under the spotlight of a major tournament will be key.

On a positive note, two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas is back from a long spell on the sidelines that saw her miss last summer’s European Championships.

With their star player fully fit, Spain can dream big.

Prediction

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