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.
Where to watch Spain vs Costa Rica?
The match will kick off at 4pm GMT on Wednesday 23rd November at the Al Thumama Stadium. It will be shown on ITV 1, with coverage starting at 3.10pm.
Germany say Fifa ‘denied us a voice’ after covering mouths in statement at World Cup
Germany claim Fifa “denied us a voice” after their players covered their mouths in a World Cup statement before their Group E match with Japan.
It is the latest development in the row with the world’s governing body over the “One Love” initiative, with Fifa censoring Germany and other teams in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
The four-time World Cup winners lined up for the photo opportunity on the pitch before the Group E match at the Khalifa International Stadium, collectively covering their mouths.
Germany say Fifa ‘denied us a voice’ after covering mouths in statement at World Cup
Fifa have threatened unspecified sporting sanctions against players who wear the rainbow band
Spain vs Costa Rica early team news and predicted line-ups
Spain have no reported injury concerns following Jose Gaya’s withdrawal. The defence looks settled, with Dani Carvajal, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Torres and Jordi Alba at the back, while Sergio Busquets, Gavi and Pedri should start in midfield.
Alvaro Morata will continue as Spain’s number nine, with Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati competing to start alongside him in attack. Pablo Sarabia, Dani Olmo and Nico Williams are all contenders for a place, though.
Predicted line-ups:
Spain: Simon; Carvajal, Laporte, P Torres, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, Gavi; F Torres, Morata, Fati
Costa Rica: Navas; C Martinez, Calvo, Duarte, Oviedo; Tejeda, Bennette, G Torres; Borges, Contreras, Campbell
Spain vs Costa Rica
There are two games from the Fifa World Cup happening this afternoon/early evening as Spain and Costa Rica go head-to-head in Group E before Belgium kick off their Group F campaign against Canada in the late match.
Luis Enrique’s Spain face a tricky time of things in a group that also features Germany and Japan but they will put qualification to the knockout stages firmly within reach if they defeat Costa Rica this afternoon.
The Spaniards have a nice mix of youth and experience to call upon which should put them in good stead for the tournament. Costa Rica, meanwhile are hoping to emulate their performance from the 2014 World Cup which saw them reach the quarter-final stage where they lost to the Netherlands in a penalty shootout.
Qatar 2022 has already throw up some surprising results - Saudi Arabia are still celebrating their win over Argentina - and Costa Rica have the chance to cause another upset. So to do Canada who take on Belgium in today’s final fixture.
They qualified top of the Concacaf table ahead of Mexico and the USA but are up against the World no. 2 who hope to better their third placed performance in Russia four years ago.
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