Doha: Former champions Spain obtained their World Cup off to a pulsating begin on Wednesday by way of a file 7-0 win over a shell-shocked Costa Rica, with an early Dani Olmo strike taking his nation previous the 100-goal mark in soccer’s showpiece occasion.
The European giants sought to make their mark in Group E with an unrelenting pursuit of objectives towards a Costa Rican aspect that posed no risk, taking the factors with ease because of Olmo, Gavi, Marco Asensio, Carlos Soler, Alvaro Morata and a brace from Ferran Torres.
Spain have been in management from the primary kick, with Costa Rica dizzied by their early onslaught on the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha and unable to search out any rhythm in a sport the place Pedri, Olmo, and Asensio dazzled.
Spain nearly went forward after 5 minutes, when Pedri’s deep cross from the left discovered Olmo in house, whose shot went extensive of the publish.
Spain coach Luis Enrique celebrates with Gavi after the match. Picture: Reuters/Carl Recine
Asensio squandered a transparent probability moments later, connecting awkwardly with the ball and sending it extensive after being picked out by the pivotal Pedri, who had a job in seemingly each Spain assault.
They went forward 11 minutes into the sport when Gavi, who turned Spain’s youngest ever World Cup participant on the age of 18, put the ball into the trail of Olmo, who turned and deftly lifted it over the advancing keeper Keylor Navas.
Spain pressed arduous for a second and obtained it on 21 minutes when Jordi Alba’s neat cross throughout the field discovered Asensio who fired low previous Navas.
Spain searched eagerly for a 3rd and received a penalty on 31 minutes when Oscar Duarte tripped Alba, with Ferran Torres coolly stroking the ball down the center previous the helpless Navas.
Spain returned from the break hungry for extra, with Asensio firing over the bar as Olmo’s harmful runs examined a Costa Rica defence that was all at sea.Torres gave Spain a fourth and himself a brace on 53 minutes, discovering Gavi on the appropriate, who performed it again into the realm for the Barcelona ahead to show and hearth residence his second.
Spain’s Alvaro Morata, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring their seventh objective.Picture: Reuters/Dylan Martinez
Gavi discovered the online himself within the 16 minutes from time with a luxurious volley in off the publish after from a floating cross from Alvaro Morata, then Carlos Soler and Morata accomplished the demolition with two objectives within the dying minutes.