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 1-0 Canada
72 mins: Less than 20 minutes plus added time to go now for Canada who seem to be tiring. They’ve pressed Belgium exceptionally well so far and need to keep those intensity levels high.
It’s going to be a tough ask for them though.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
69 mins: Incredible defending from Richie Laryea! Belgium create an overload after Kamal Miller’s mistimed challenge which sees De Bruyne in space on the right.
He slides the ball into Batshuayi who takes an age to control it. Laryea sprints back and lunges in from behind just as the Belgian takes his shot.
Laryea blocks the effort and knocks it out for a corner!
Belgium 1-0 Canada
66 mins: Cyle Larin keeps the ball in play at the byline but Leander Dendoncker cuts short Canada’s attack. He clears the ball to Kevin De Bruyne who drives up the pitch before slotting a pass over to Michy Batshuayi.
Kamal Miller comes flying across and leaps into the tackle. He wins the ball and kicks Canada back into attack. Fantastic tackle.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
63 mins: Eden Hazard’s night is over as Brighton’s Leandro Trossard is introduced to replace him for Belgium. Hazard didn’t really have the impact on the game he would have been hoping for.
Belgium lose possession deep in their own half and a squared pass sees the ball roll over to Tajon Buchanan who hurridly takes a shot from range and belts it very high over the crossbar!
Belgium 1-0 Canada
60 mins: Buchanan dribbles down the left side and runs into Meunier who leaves a bit too much on the attacker gifting Canada another free kick in a dangerous area.
Eustaquio takes this one too but curls the set piece straight out of play as he targetted his team mates over by the back post.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
57 mins: John Herdman looks to his bench just before the hour mark and makes a double substitution with Cyle Larin and Ismael Kone coming on to replace Junior Hoilett and Atiba Hutchinson.
Larin had a very good qualifying campaign for Canada who will need him to get on the scoresheet again tonight.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
54 mins: Yellow card! A diagonal ball comes across the pitch with Hoilett and Meunier colliding as they try to win it in the air. Meunier leads with his elbow and clips Hoilett on the back of the head earning himself a place in the book.
Canada win a free kick that Eustaquio lifts over to the far side of the penalty area. Belgium hold their line high and the ball goes over everyone.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
51 mins: Shot! Canada continue to push high up the pitch with Belgium sitting off them and holding their shape just inside the penalty are.
Eustaquio is given the ball and he shifts it to the right to create enough space for a long ranged effort. There’s decent power behind the shot but he hooks it well wide of the far post.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
48 mins: Chance! How many more opportunities will Canada get? Buchanan and Johnston combine on the right wing but run into trouble and have to release the ball back to Eustaquio.
He flicks a brilliant pass into the box and perfectly finds David who then whips his headed effort wide of the far post!
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