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.
Gavi tipped to be ‘one of the stars of world football’ by Spain boss Enrique
Spain boss Luis Enrique predicted Gavi will be “one of the stars of world football” after the teenager became the youngest World Cup goalscorer since Pele 64 years ago.
Gavi scored Spain’s fifth goal in a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica – La Roja’s biggest-ever World Cup victory.
The Barcelona midfielder’s World Cup goal, a brilliant volley with the outside of the foot which went in off a post, came at the age of 18 years and 110 days.
Pele scored against Wales in a 1958 quarter-final at the age of 17 years and 249 days. Enrique said: “Gavi is a unique player. He is 18 but he has the personality of an experienced player.”
Gavi tipped to be ‘one of the stars of world football’ by Spain boss Enrique
The 18-year-old became Spain’s youngest goalscorer in June.
HT Belgium 1-0 Canada
Worrying signs.
Canada haven’t won any of their last three matches when they’ve conceded the opening goal in a World Cup match.
HT Belgium 1-0 Canada
Michy Batshuayi’s opener is the difference between the teams at half-time.
Half-time: Belgium 1-0 Canada
45+5 mins: There goes the whistle for half-time. Canada created a handful of opportunities in that 45 minutes but they couldn’t take any of them.
Michy Batshuayi took his chance when it came to him and somehow he’s put Belgium in front. They’ll need to play better in the second half though if they want to close out this game.
Belgium 1-0 Canada
45+2 mins: There’s five minutes of added time to play.
Chance! Laryea gets in behind the Belgium defence with another impressive run down the right wing. He puts a teasing pass into the six-yard area and Tajon Buchanan gets in front of his marker.
The Canadian sticks out his left leg and lifts his effort over the crossbar!
GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Canada (Batshuayi, 44’)⚽️
44 mins: That was the danger, Belgium score against the run of play!
It’s not brilliant defending from Canada who allow a simple long ball to come over the top. Yannick Carrasco and Michy Batshuayi follow the ball into the box.
It bounces kindly for Batshuayi who laces a left-footed effort at goal and blasts the ball past Milan Borjan.
Belgium 0-0 Canada
40 mins: Possible penalty for Canada!
Hutchinson combines with Richie Laryea who drives the ball into the penalty area. He’s seemingly clipped by Axel Witsel who tries to keep him at bay and the Canadian hits the deck.
The referee doesn’t award a penalty and after a VAR check the game goes on. Nervous times for Belgium.
Belgium 0-0 Canada
37 mins: Also going against Canada at the minute is the fact that they’re up against a very good goalkeeper.
Thibaut Courtois was exceptional for Real Madrid in the Champions League final last season and his performance won them the trophy. He’s already proven his worth to Belgium tonight by keeping out Davies’ penalty.
Courtois has saved five of the nine penalties he has faced for club and country in all competitions in 2022. That’s (56%).
Belgium 0-0 Canada
34 mins: Canada have missing that crucial, clinical strike to finish off their brilliant moves. They’ve been the more attacking and frankly better side tonight and deserve to be in front but their finishing is letting them down.
There’s a good atmosphere inside the stadium pushing them on though.
Belgium 0-0 Canada
31 mins: Chance! Great pass from Steven Eustaquio who floats an aerial pass up to Tajn Buchanan. He chests the ball under control the slides the ball over to Jonathan David.
David finds himself rushed inside the penalty area and his shot is deflected into the hands of Thibaut Courtois.
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