Spain, unlike Germany surprised shortly before by Japan in Group E of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, did not tremble against Costa Rica, which they swept 7-0 with a double of Ferran Torres, Wednesday at al-Thumama Stadium in Doha.
The Spaniards, who were already leading 3-0 on the half hour, confirmed their status as a serious candidate for the supreme title. This seductive Roja, at the top of the group after her display in front of admittedly very weak Costa Ricans who had no chances, will face Germany in their next match, Sunday at 8 p.m., a match to be followed in full in Europe 1 Sport.
game masters
At the Al-Thumama stadium in Doha, the Spaniards immediately took up residence in the opposing half of the field, never leaving the slightest initiative to the totally overwhelmed Costa Ricans. Leipzig striker Dani Olmo brought the first thrill to the stadium in the 5th minute with a volley at the far post which narrowly missed the goal of Keylor Navas, the PSG goalkeeper who is playing in his third World Cup in a row.
Luis Enrique’s men finally passed very logically in front in the 11th minute by Dani Olmo who, after a stint with Gavi, got rid of Oscar Duarte with a rotational control before deceiving Navas from close range.
Totally masters of the game, the Spaniards doubled the mark ten minutes later by Marco Asensio, who victoriously took over a tight cross from Jordi Alba on the left side (21st).
Double from Ferran Torres
The case turned into a demonstration half an hour into the game when Duarte made a mistake in the area on Jordi Alba. Emirati referee Mohammed Abdulla whistled a penalty that Ferran Torres converted with great composure (3-0). From then on, the rest of the game promised to be very long for the Central American team, which was difficult to qualify for the World Cup in a play-off against New Zealand (1-0).
In the second half, the demonstration turned into humiliation for Luis Fernando Suarez’s players, with… four new goals from La Roja. Ferran Torres first went there with his double to add a fourth goal by taking advantage of a disagreement between Bryan Oviedo and Navas (54th). Then Gavi, the Barça midfielder, scored with a volley after receiving a cross from Alvaro Morata (75), who came into play in place of Ferran Torres.
As in training, and while the last minutes seemed like an eternity for Navas and his family, Carlos Soler (90th) and Alvaro Morata (90 + 2) gave the score a rare scale in the World Cup, unprecedented in this 22nd edition.
Semi-finalist of the last Euro, La Roja impressed for his debut, against a Costa Rica which appeared very weak. A first bet in any case successful for coach Luis Enrique.
Source: Europe1
Brayden White, a veteran sports writer at Global Happening, brings his wealth of knowledge and expertise to the sports section. With over a decade of experience, he is committed to delivering high-quality coverage of the latest games and events.
