Women’s World Cup LIVE: Today’s results and latest news

Three points for Spain and a very comfortable opening match for La Roja. Aitana Bonmati’s goal midway through the first half and the return of Alexia Putellas in the second half very much the highlights of the day.

Player of the match, though, was Costa Rica’s goalkeeper Solera. Spain had 46 shots across the game but were kept to their three first-half goals.

90+4 mins: Costa Rica are very close to earning a ‘0-0 draw’ in the second half. Spain have had so much of the ball and all of the chances, with substitute Alba Redondo the latest to go close, but Costa Rica have shown so much spirit in this second half to keep the score down.

82 mins: Putellas goes down in the box after tumbling over an outstretched leg, but then plays a sublime ball around the corner to Mariona.

Spain up to 40 shots now…

77 mins: Alexia Putellas is back! The two-time Ballon d’Or winner makes her long-awaited return to a major tournament after missing the Euros last summer. Spain will want to get her back into the starting line-up as soon as possible.

72 mins: Costa Rica look like they would be happy to shake hands on 3-0 right now. Goalkeeper Solera was down with an injury but it looks as if she will try and battle on.

Spain are up to 36 shots for the match, and we’re only about two-thirds of the way through.

Paralleulo goes close again with a flicked header that fades away from the far post.

Brilliant save! Spain are turning on the style now as Paralleulo dances inside the box and drives a shot towards the top corner. Costa Rica goalkeeper Daniela Solera is the busiest player on the pitch at the moment and makes another excellent save to tip it over the bar.

Off the bar! So close from Olga Carmona – the left back smashes a strike from the angle that thuds of the top of the upright.

Back underway in Wellington! Incredibly, Spain had only ever won one match at the Women’s World Cup before today. They were winless in 2015, including a draw against Costa Rica, before they reached the last-16 four years ago. Spain have much grander ambitions this time around.

England boss Sarina Wiegman vowed the Lionesses would do “everything” they can to bring home a first World Cup when they begin their campaign against Haiti in Brisbane on Saturday.

Wiegman also provided a welcome update on captain Millie Bright, who is fit to start tomorrow’s contest after concerns she was still recovering from the knee injury she sustained in March which required surgery.

The World Cup trophy is one that has so far eluded both England and Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to the final four years ago in France but fell to defeat at the hands of the United States.

Asked if England could lift the trophy this year, she said: “We’re here and we have a dream, and of course there’s always a chance to win the World Cup, and many more countries can win the World Cup I think, but of course we’re going to give our everything starting tomorrow.”