DOHA, Qatar (AP) — It was a World Cup win match for a king. Actually.King Felipe VI was amongst these congratulating Spain in Qatar after its 7-0 rout of Costa Rica within the World Cup opener Wednesday, when “La Roja” reintroduced the “tiki-taka” and placed on a masterclass of ball possession and environment friendly attacking to get off to an excellent begin in its quest to win a second world title. The historic victory raised expectations about Spain’s probabilities of succeeding in Qatar and successful soccer’s most coveted trophy for the primary time since 2010, when Xavi and Andrés Iniesta had been the leaders of the ball-possession type that amazed the soccer world. “Preserve singing,” King Felipe VI advised the gamers as he entered Spain’s locker room on the Al Thumama Stadium after the match. “We’ve loved it, as did all people else. Greater than the end result, it was pleasant to observe you play.”Spain is led by a few teenage sensations who’ve added some punch to the “tiki-taka” type. Gavi and Pedri, together with a gaggle of different proficient kids making their World Cup debut, present velocity and power to go together with the fixed speedy passing and ball management inherent to the type.“The concept was for all of the gamers within the midfield to have a variety of touches, and from there the standard of our gamers prevailed,” Spain coach Luis Enrique mentioned. Spain accomplished a report 1,003 passes for a 90-minute sport on Wednesday, and completed with 75% of ball possession. It had 17 makes an attempt towards zero by Costa Rica.“Our solely aim is to manage the sport repeatedly, and to do this it’s good to have the ball,” Luis Enrique mentioned. “The rival will get annoyed and struggles to seek out house. We had been distinctive with how we pressured.”The 18-year-old Gavi and the 19-year-old Pedri managed the tempo of the match together with veteran Sergio Busquets, the one remaining member of the 2010 World Cup-winning squad. Up entrance, the 22-year-old Ferran Torres, together with Dani Olmo and Marco Asensio, labored aggressively off the ball to shortly regain possession. “It was a match wherein we got here out sturdy and went for the victory from the very first minute,” mentioned Gavi, who was named essentially the most helpful participant and scored within the 74th minute to turn into the youngest World Cup scorer since Pelé in 1958.“He’s a singular participant,” Luis Enrique mentioned of Gavi. “He’s 18 however has the persona of an skilled participant. We’re very completely satisfied to have him. I believe he’s going to be one of many stars in world soccer.”Spain has the third-youngest squad at this yr’s match, however Luis Enrique shouldn’t be apprehensive along with his gamers being overly assured heading into the much-anticipated match towards four-time world champion Germany on Sunday. The Germans misplaced 2-1 to Japan of their Group E opener on Wednesday.“The reward could make you weaker, however this workforce is not going to calm down,” Luis Enrique mentioned. “I do know it as a result of I see how they apply and I can let you know that they received’t let up. Germany is a powerhouse and it could beat us, however we are going to come out enjoying the identical approach.”Spain, which hadn’t received a World Cup opener since 2006, nonetheless had Xavi and Iniesta when it received its final main title on the 2012 European Championship. Now it is going to be as much as the likes of Pedri and Gavi to make the brand new “tiki-taka” thrive and lead Spain in its quest for the World Cup trophy.To this point so good, as even the king is impressed.“It’s good to get off to a begin like this,” King Felipe VI advised the gamers earlier than leaving the workforce’s locker room carrying a Gavi shirt autographed by your entire squad.______Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni
Promising Spain brings again the ‘tiki-taka’ on the World Cup
