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.
Belgium vs Canada
Coming up after the conclusion of this game is the final match of the day when Belgium take on Canada in Group F.
Team news has just dropped so here’s a look at how they both line-up:
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Leander Dendoncker, Timothy Castagne, Axel Witsel, Youri Tielemans, Yannick Carrasco, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Michy Batshuayi
Canada: Milan Borjan, Richie Laryea, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria, Alistair Johnston, Alphonso Davies, Stephen Eustaquio, Atiba Hutchinson, Tajon Buchanan, Junior Hoilett, Jonathan David
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
83 mins: Superb Spain running riot against Costa Rica.
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
80 mins: 10 minutes plus how ever long the officials decide to add on for stoppage time to play.
Rodri slides a through ball up to Koke who spins before playing Morata into the right side of the box. The forward has a shy at goal but doesn’t catch it right and hooks his effort out of play.
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
77 mins: This has been a training game for Spain. They haven’t been asked any questions and every time they moved forward with any type of quality the end result has been a goal or a shot.
There’s a bit of a barney between Kendall Waston and Gavi in the middle of the pitch and the referee calls both men over for a chat. He tells them to calm it down.
GOAL! Spain 5-0 Costa Rica (Gavi, 74’)⚽️
74 mins: Gavi joins the fun! Balde goes on a driving run through the inside left channel and slips a pass into the box for Alvaro Morata who stays onside. He’s forced over to the left side of the box but holds up the ball before flicking it over to the arriving teenager.
Gavi pops up in the box after a run from deep, he meets the ball on the volley and pokes it onto the inside of the right post where the ball deflects into the back of the net.
Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
72 mins: 28-year-old Iñaki Williams Arthuer now replaces Marco Asensio up in the forward line. He’s started out wide on the right with Morata taking the central forward role.
Spain kick forward on the break with Luis Enrique encouraging them forward from the touchline - he certainly wants more goals. However, the attack breaks down on the edge of the box and Costa Rica scramble it clear.
Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
69 mins: Spain have scored four or more goals in a World Cup match for just the fourth time having last done so in a 4-0 victory against Ukraine in 2006.
Is this a sign of things to come? The 2010 champions will be eyeing another good run in this tournament after two poor campaigns in 2014 and 2018.
Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
66 mins: Spain’s centre-back pair of Aymeric Laporte and Rodri are pushing up to the halfway line with they are in possession. It’s like watching Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at times.
This has been one of the most one-sided affairs of the tournament so far.
Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
63 mins: Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are the two men taken off in order for Balde and Koke to come on. Both men will play crucial roles for Spain’s next match against the Germans - who have to win - so they’re given a rest for the final half an hour or so.
Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
60 mins: Alejandro Balde and Koke are ready to come for Spain as well.
This game is now a matter of how many they want to score. With Germany still to come in the group qualification may come down to goal difference so Luis Enrique will be encouraging his players to keep attacking.
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