Spain vs Costa Rica LIVE: World Cup 2022 result and final score as Ferran Torres hits double
La Roja ran riot in their Qatar 2022 opener as Luis Enrique’s side hit seven to take command of Group E
Spain‘s young squad got off to a high-scoring start at the World Cup, routing Costa Rica 7-0 on Wednesday. Not long after Japan surprised Germany 2-1 in the other Group E match, Spain avoided any chance of an upset with Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio and Ferran Torres scoring a goal each in the first 31 minutes. Torres, Gavi, Carlos Soler and Álvaro Morata added to the lead in the second half.
Olmo’s goal was the 100th at World Cups for Spain, which became the sixth nation to score more than 100 times in the tournament. It was the first time Spain has scored seven goals in a World Cup match. With 18-year-old Gavi and 19-year-old Pedri starting, Spain became the first European nation with two teenagers in the starting lineup of a World Cup match in 60 years, according to statistics platform Opta. Gavi then became the youngest goal scorer at the World Cup since Pelé in the 1958 final, also according to Opta. Gavi and Pedri were among the many youngsters picked by Spain coach Luis Enrique in a revamped squad in Qatar — the third-youngest team among the 32 nations, after the United States and Ghana.
The young duo helped Spain control the pace of the match from the start at Al Thumama Stadium. Costa Rica looked overwhelmed from the start in its third straight World Cup campaign. It came to Qatar hoping to repeat its surprise run to the quarterfinals in 2014 in Brazil, and avoid a repeat of its participation four years ago in Russia, when it was eliminated in the group stage after not winning any matches.
Relive all the action with our live blog below and follow Belgium vs Canada here.
Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
45 mins: There’s going to be five minutes of stoppage time added on at the end of the first half. Costa Rica need to get into the break, they’re been run off their feet out there at present.
Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
42 mins: Costa Rica look tired already. They’ve hardly had any time in possession and have been asked to defend diligently. Asensio makes a run behind the defence and collects the ball as it comes over the top down the right wing.
He’s closed down by a couple of defenders but manages to release the ball as his team mates join him in the final third.
Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
39 mins: Costa Rica have finally move to a back five but Spain are utilising short, sharp passes to play around them. They have six men in and around the penalty area as Cesar Azpilicueta brings the ball down the right wing.
Ferran Torres makes a run off the ball into the six-yard area but Azpilicueta’s cross skips over the top of his head and Costa Rica clear the danger.
Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
36 mins: Spain have scored three goals in the first half of a World Cup match for only the second time in their history, also doing so against Brazil in 1934.
Jewison Bennette, the young Costa Rican attacker, is trying to drive his team onward. He brings the ball down the left side but runs into trouble and gets dispossessed as there are limited options in the box for him.
Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
33 mins: Spain have had 87% possession and have killed off the game well before half-time. They’re in cruise control now and Luis Enrique will be thinking ahead to the Germany game on Sunday.
GOAL! Spain 3-0 Costa Rica (Ferran, 31’)⚽️
31 mins: Game over. Ferran Torres is up for Spain and calmly sends Keylor Navas diving the wrong way to his right as he slides the ball over to the opposite corner.
Spain are 3-0 to the good and there’s no chance of another upset tonight.
Penalty to Spain!
Spain 2-0 Costa Rica
29 mins: Things are going from bad to worse for Costa Rica. Jordi Alba weaves his way into the penalty area and is clipped but a scrappy attempted tackle from Oscar Duarte.
It’s a soft penalty but the referee points to the spot.
Spain 2-0 Costa Rica
25 mins: Marco Asensio is Spain’s 50th different goalscorer at the World Cup. Costa Rica look incredible shaky in defence now as Spain pass it with seeming ease.
GOAL! Spain 2-0 Costa Rica (Asensio, 21’)⚽️
21 mins: Two for Spain!
Costa Rica had looked to get further up the pitch but they’ve been undone by a diagonal pass out to Jordi Alba on the left wing. He’s pushed high up the pitch and brings the ball under control before picking out Marco Asensio in the penalty area.
Asensio meets it with a first time effort and guides the ball beautifully into the far bottom corner!
Spain 1-0 Costa Rica
15 mins: Spain continue to press their advantage but Costa Rica are sticking to their original shape. The Central American side see a bit of possession inside the Spanish final third but can’t get the ball into the box.
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