Luis Enrique’s side rose to the top of Group E after producing their most dominant performance at the World Cup.
Spain started the World Cup in dazzling form on Wednesday night, beating Costa Rica 7-0 at Al Thumama Stadium in a record win that marked the most dominant display in this year’s tournament.
Midfielder Dani Olmo opened his side’s account in the 11th minute, marking the Spaniard’s 100th goal at the World Cup and starting the march which was saved by Alvaro Morata in the 92nd minute.
Ten minutes later, Marco Asensio made a perfect run into the box to connect powerfully with Jordi Alba’s cross.
Ferran Torres then scored the first of his two goals from the penalty spot in the 31st minute, with the Barcelona winger scoring the second in the 54th minute as he took advantage of defensive hesitations. reign.
Four minutes became five 20 minutes after Gavi, the youngest player to represent Spain at the World Cup, scored with a perfect volley in the 74th minute.
At 18 years and 110 days, he also became the youngest goalscorer in a World Cup match since Brazilian legend Pelé scored in the 1958 final against Sweden.
Substitutes Carlos Soler and Morata then ended up in a completely one-sided encounter as the game neared its end, helping Spain win its biggest ever World Cup.
The Spaniard’s performance was built on near-total possession, with the side completing nearly 1,000 passes throughout the game and accounting for more than 80% of overall possession.
Spain’s 19-year-old young star, Pedri, is particularly brilliant in central midfield, coordinating seemingly every attack.
Meanwhile, the South American team only released 166 passes and did not have a shot on goal.
0 – Costa Rica failed to make a single shot against Spain today, just the second instance of a side failing to make a goal-scoring attempt in a World Cup match since 1966, after it was Costa Rica against Brazil in 1990. Shame. pic.twitter.com/FOeZi81viq
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 23, 2022
The result puts Spain at the top of Group E, while Japan is second after Blue Samurai’s shock 2-1 win over Germany earlier on Wednesday.
Spain’s next match will be against Germany on Sunday, while Japan will face Costa Rica on the same day. A win for La Roja would almost certainly mean their European rivals out.
