Spain thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 for their first opening World Cup win since 2006, marking the perfect start to a tough-looking Group E for coach Luis Enrique, Abbeylivenetwork.com reports.
The goals came from Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio, Ferran Torres, Gavi, Carlos Soler, and Alvaro Morata.
RB Leipzig forward Dani Olmo opened the scoring for La Roja after only 11 minutes of the game. The ex-Barcelona youngster received a pass from Gavi before wriggling free in the box to fire past the experienced Keylor Navas.
It took only another ten minutes for Spain to double their advantage, this time through Marco Asensio. The Real Madrid man was on the end of a low cross from Jordi Alba and applied a first-time finish to guide the ball into the back of the net.
In the 31st minute, La Roja went three goals up from the penalty spot. The industrious Alba was brought down in the box on one of his forays forward and his club side teammate Ferran Torres calmly slotted home the resulting penalty.
Torres doubled his personal tally in the 54th minute as Spain refused to let up in the game. The former Manchester City man was the beneficiary of some dodgy defending before slotting his effort past a stranded Navas.
The excellent Gavi added his name to the scoresheet and record books in outrageous style after 74 minutes to make it five for Spain. The 2022 Golden Boy winner scored a stunning volley with the outside of his boot after he was found by a cross from Alvaro Morata. The 18-year-old became Spain’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the World Cup and also the third-youngest player to score in the Mundial behind Pele and Manuel Rosas.
Not done with scoring, Spain added a sixth in the 90th minute through PSG star Carlos Soler. The midfielder was on hand to tuck the ball home after Navas spilled a cross from Nico Williams. Alvaro Morata scored the seventh and final goal for La Roja in the 92nd minute after he fired in following a quick one-two with Olmo.
Spain recorded their biggest win in the history of the FIFA World Cup and have now sent out a statement that they are firm favourites for the title. They face Germany next in a make-or-break match for the Germans.
