Coach Jorge Vilda says Spain will try to eke the best out of Alexia Putellas at the Women's World Cup after she made a cameo off the bench in Friday's ominous 3-0 win over Costa Rica.
The Spaniards showed why they're among the favourites with a classy display in a Group C mismatch in Wellington, firing 46 shots against opponents who spent nearly the entire game defending and were flattered by the scoreline.
La Roja threatened a rout when all three goals came in the space of six minutes midway through the first half but they couldn't score again.
The European powerhouses received a boost in the 77th minute when reigning two-time Ballon d'Or winner Putellas entered the match, with her fitness under a cloud after cutting short a training session on Monday.
The Barcelona midfielder produced some neat touches over the closing minutes and Vilda said her limited minutes come under advice from medical staff.
The 29-year-old is still to complete a full game since returning in April from a serious knee injury.
"We are going to follow their recommendations and they recommended for today that Alexia could play a little bit," Vilda said. "Every single minute from her really counts, she's a really good quality player.
"What we're going to do in the future is our best to help her and get the best out of her."
Putellas' Barcelona team-mate Aitana Bonmati was instead the game's dominant figure, named player of the match after creating numerous chances and finding the net herself.
In a match played in cold and wet conditions, the first goal arrived in the 21st minute when Costa Rica defender Valeria del Campo sliced a low cross from Esther Gonzalez into her own net.
Bonmati doubled the lead before Gonzalez grabbed the third with a close-range volley.