Veronica Charlyn Corral (right) scored three goals in the Mexico women's national team win over Costa Rica in an international friendly on May 28, 2015, in Mexico City. (Photo: Mexsport)
MEXICO CITY – Veronica Charlyn Corral scored three goals in the first half and the Mexico women’s national team defeated Costa Rica 3-0 in an international friendly on Thursday at the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación’s High Performance Center.
The Tricolor swept the two-game, pre-Women’s World Cup series, which it opened with a 2-1 win on Monday at the same venue.
Mexico started the game on the front foot, taking a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. Corral took the ball down the left and eluded two defenders before firing into the back of the net.
Nine minutes later, Corral doubled the advantage. The prolific 23-year-old striker gained possession of a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area to place a high shot underneath the crossbar.
Corral completed the hat-trick in the 43rd minute, converting a penalty kick after Lydia Nayeli Rangel was fouled in the box by Adriana Venegas.
Mexico is expected to travel to Canada on Sunday to commence final preparations for its Women’s World Cup opener against Colombia on June 9 in Moncton.