Fifa World Cup: Costa Rica suffers a 7-0 loss to Spain
Former champions Spain kicked up their World Cup campaign with a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica on Wednesday. Ferran Torres brace and an exquisite finish from Gavi sent them beyond the 100-goal barrier in soccer’s showcase tournament.
Spain was constantly on the offensive against a lacklustre Costa Rican side that gave Luis Enrique’s squad time and space to churn out opportunity after chance, putting their imprint on a Group E rocked by Japan’s 2-1 triumph over Germany.
It was a night of milestones for a Spain team that has struggled at World Cups since winning the championship in 2010, with Barcelona’s 18-year-old Gavi becoming the country’s youngest World Cup player, and the youngest to score since Brazil great Pele in 1958, at Doha’s famous Al Thumama Stadium.
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Despite Costa Rica’s sloppy defence, La Furia Roja was flawless in their assaults, with Pedri at the heart of virtually every play in a game where Dani Olmo, Gavi, Marco Asensio, and Torres all sparkled.
They both scored to help Spain reach 100 World Cup goals, and late goals from Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata secured their highest victory margin in a World Cup finals match.
“I don’t think it was Costa Rica being bad, I think the win was our merit. We deserved to win, taking the game to them,” Olmo said.
“Our team is strong and that is the path we need to follow. It was a boost of motivation, for sure.”
