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.
Busquets on winning the World Cup
Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets is competing in his fourth World Cup tournament and won the trophy with Spain in 2010. The 34-year-old also won the 2012 European Championship and is "dreaming" of winning another title in Qatar.
"I’m very happy to be here, regardless of whether it’s my second or fourth World Cup. I won’t make any decisions during or afterwards," said Busquets who put to bed the rumours that this would be his final World Cup for Spain.
"I am here to enjoy it, whatever happens. Obviously I am closer to this being my last World Cup."
Japan lead Germany!
Oh my word. Japan have come from a goal behind to lead Germany 2-1. They’ve never beaten the Germans in competitive football and are on the verge of a historic win.
There’s just the seven minutes of stoppage time to play.
If Japan can hold on and win then they will blow Group E wide open ahead of kick off between Spain and Costa Rica at 4pm.
Sportswashing and spectacle as Qatar’s World Cup of conflicts kicks off
As Lionel Messi and the Argentine squad arrived in Qatar this week, driving through a £220bn infrastructure project built on “modern slavery”, there was unmistakable excitement. The players can’t quite believe the World Cup is suddenly here again. “Another chance” at victory and immortality. It was much the same in the England camp, where the 14 players who have never been to the competition were almost just saying to each other: “It’s the World Cup!”
And one like no other, for reasons far beyond the fact that it is starting in November.
The disrupted calendar has at once made this World Cup one that has suddenly come out of nowhere and yet also weighed over the game for more than a decade. It is a mere week’s preparation that goes back 12 years.
That apparent contradiction appropriately reflects so many conflicts running through this World Cup. There is not a moral conflict, it should be stressed. It is unchallengeable: this World Cup should not be taking place in Qatar.
Sportswashing and spectacle as Qatar’s World Cup of conflicts kicks off
The greatest show on Earth will take place against a background of human suffering that cannot be ignored
Spain vs Costa Rica confirmed line-ups ahead of World Cup fixture
Spain take on Costa Rica in Group E of the World Cup.
Spain have been disappointing at World Cups since winning the tournament in 2010 but Luis Enrique is leading a bright new generation in Qatar.
Barcelona’s Pedri, 19, and Gavi, 18, are set to start in midfield, with La Roja offering a reminder of their quality when they reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals.
Costa Rica return to the World Cup following their brilliant run to the quarter-finals in 2014. Keylor Navas, Bryan Oviedo and Joel Campbell remain a key part of the team.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Spain vs Costa Rica confirmed line-ups ahead of World Cup fixture
Spain vs Costa Rica predicted line-ups: Team news ahead of World Cup fixture
Costa Rica line-up
Costa Rica XI: Navas; Fuller, Calvo, Duarte, Oviedo; Tejeda, Borges; Martinez, Campbell, Bennette; Contreras
Japan draw level with Germany!
There are 15 minutes plus stoppage time left in the other Group E fixture of the day as Germany take on Japan. The Germans took a slender lead in that one but the Japanese have fought back to level things at 1-1.
This should be a cracking finish and you can follow the action right here:
Germany vs Japan LIVE: World Cup 2022 latest updates
Takefusa Kubo will be watched by Real Madrid, who have a buy-back option, at the World Cup
Spain vs Costa Rica
Kick off for this one is at 4pm. Luis Enrique has already named the Spanish starting XI which some pacey attackers in Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo.
They sit either side of experienced striker Marco Asensio who will be able supplied by teenagers Pedri and Gavi.
Spain line-up
Spain XI: Unai; Azpilicueta, Rodri, Laporte, Alba, Busquets, Gavi, Pedri; Ferran, Asensio, Olmo
Spain vs Costa Rica
Spain are facing Costa Rica for the fourth time since 2011.
Their three previous head-to-heads have produced 12 goals with an average of four per game.
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