This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Spain vs Costa Rica World Cup 2022 match on Wednesday, November 23.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Spain vs Costa Rica World Cup 2022 match on Wednesday, November 23.
- Spain XI: Simon, Azpilicueta, Rodri, Laporte, Alba (Balde, 64′), Busquets (Koke, 64′), Gavi, Pedri (Soler, 57′), Torres (Morata, 57′), Asensio (Williams, 69′), Olmo.
- Costa Rica XI: Navas, Oviedo (Matarrita, 82′), Calvo, Martinez (Waston, 46′), Duarte, Fuller, Bennette (Ruiz, 61′), Tejeda, Borges (Aguilera, 72′), Campbell, Contreras (Zamora, 61′).
- Wednesday’s third match of the day took place in Doha’s Al Thumama Stadium.
- Clash came after the latest tournament upset saw fellow Group E team Japan shock Germany with 2-1 victory.
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
Just the seven goals in that one
That’s it from us on that game and there’s no prizes for guessing who’ll be the happier set of fans roaming around Doha right now. However, the football isn’t over just yet, and you can follow Canada v Belgium here.
Ciao.
Youth driving Spain forward?
At 19 and 18 years old respectively, Pedri and Gavi’s combined age is not that much greater than their midfield partner Sergio Busquets. Their youthful exuberance in the middle of the park, going along with their obvious technical abilities, could be a real asset for Spain in Qatar.
Back to the drawing board for Costa Rica
It’s hard to think of anything Costa Rica can gain from that game apart from maybe to forget it and turn their minds to their next game against Japan. They wouldn’t have expected to get much from tonight, but Luis Fernando Suarez will have a tough job boosting his players’ confidence over the next few days.
Their cumulative zero shots on target and zero shots of any variety needs to be addressed before then.
Carving a route?
Germany’s 1-2 loss to Japan in the earlier game means Luis Enrique’s men will fancy their chances of topping Group E now.
What looked like the most straightforward group of the World Cup was blown open by that result, and if La Roja can beat Hansi Flick’s side on Sunday, they will go a long way to securing the top spot and, in theory, a kinder round-of-16 matchup.
Full-time: Spain 7-0 Costa Rica
In a game that was wrapped up in the first half, Spain showed why they’re one of the more fancied teams in this World Cup despite not having a clinical finisher. However, by spreading the goals out in this one, they proved that that doesn’t necessarily have to be a weakness.
Goals from Gavi, Torres, Asensio, Olmo, Soler and Morata proved there’s more than one way to rack up a big score and manager Luis Enrique will be delighted with what he saw.
For Costa Rica, qualification will now look like an uphill battle but they would have been targeting other games for points in Group E.
Morata makes it magnificent seven
GOAL: He’s done some good work since coming on and a lovely one-two on the box is finished by the striker, Morata. Costa Rica will be praying for the ref to blow this one up.
92 mins: Spain 7-0 Costa Rica
GOAL!
Soler puts Spain six to the good after Navas spills a cross into the middle of box. The keeper looks very disappointed with himself, but there’s not much he could have done today.
Eight minutes have also been added on.
89 mins: Spain 6-0 Costa Rica
Final roll of the dice from Costa Rica
Bryan Oviedo off for Ronald Matarrita. Not much time for the 28-year-old to affect this match.
83 mins: Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
Handbags klaxon
Gavi and Kendall Waston, probably the most mismatched pair on the pitch, almost get into a confrontation after the defender had climbed all over the 18-year-old’s back at a free-kick. Just a talking to from the referee on this occasion.
80 mins: Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
Gavi youngest World Cup scorer in 64 years
Gavi, aged 18 years and 110 days, has become the youngest goal scorer in a World Cup match since Brazilian legend Pelé netted in the 1958 final against Sweden.
GOAL!
Gavi with a finish using the outside of the boot to take your breath away.
Wonderful assist from Morata after he’d seen his attempts to round Navas faltered by the keeper.
75 mins: Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
Into fray comes a 19-year-old
Borges makes way for Brandon Aguilera, who’s only making his fourth cap for Costa Rica. Hopefully, he can show some promise in the 20 minutes or so he gets.
73 mins: Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
Nico Williams’ introduction to the action comes 24 hours before his brother, Iñaki, is expected to feature for Ghana against Portugal.
The siblings, both of whom play for Basque club side Athletic Bilbao, were born in Spain to Ghanaian parents.
Nico Williams enters the match for his #ESP debut. His brother Iñaki will debut tomorrow for #GHA
— Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) November 23, 2022
Calvo lucky to only see yellow
He goes in late and hard on Soler and it feels unwise given the state of the game. Referee Mohammed Abdulla Mohammed thought it only necessary to show the yellow card.
Inaki Williams also introduced for Asensio.
69 mins: Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
More changes for Spain
Busquets and Alba are also hooked for Koke and Alejandro Balde. Enrique clearly saving his veterans from unnecessary minutes.
65 mins: Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
Atmosphere subdued inside Al Thumama as Spain turn the screw
The atmosphere inside the Al Thumama Stadium is somewhat subdued amid Spain’s outright domination of Costa Rica on the pitch.
It’s been a non-contest from minute one and while the Spaniards’ efforts have been cheered by their smattering of fans, Costa Ricans and the neutrals appear to be dazed by the proceedings.
37-year-old Ruiz introduced
Bryan Ruiz and Alvaro Zamora are on for Anthony Contreras and Jewison Bennette. Can they affect the rhythm of this one at all?
Here’s hoping.
62 mins: Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
Job done for Ferran Torres
Alvaro Morata is on for Ferran Torres, who is denied the opportunity to go for a hat-trick. Probably the best compliment he can get from his manager and he’ll be saved for tougher days.
Carlos Soler also introduced for Pedri. Job done.
57 mins: Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
GOAL!
Ferran Torres gets his second of the night, and now there’s no coming back.
The forward is allowed far too much time and space in the Costa Rican box and he obliges with a neat finish into the far corner.
54 mins: Spain 4-0 Costa Rica
We are go for the second 45 mins
Costa Rica get us back under way, playing left to right in this half. Maybe that might change their luck.
Carlos Martinez is off for Kendall Waston. Spain unchanged.
Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague is feeling confident after watching his nation’s opening World Cup salvo. Who can blame him?
It's coming home, it's coming home, it's coming, football is coming home!!! 🎷🎻🪘
(Photo stolen from @IbaiLlanos) pic.twitter.com/vmQn4aIMvp
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) November 23, 2022
Can we have the ball back please?
The Spanish players appear in no mood to offer Costa Rica any chance to play. Domination doesn’t do justice to their near-total control of the first half.
The European side have strung together well in excess of 500 passes already, with a possession rate of nearly 85 percent.
Mesmerising.
Half-time: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
That was as straightforward a half as you’re probably going to see in this tournament with goals from Olmo, Asensio and a penalty from Ferran Torres putting Spain into a handsome lead. Their superiority on the ball is so vast that Luis Fernando Suarez must be scratching his head as to what he can do, but Costa Rica have barely been in this contest.
Anyone hoping for a third World Cup shock better be patient.
3 – Spain 🇪🇸 have scored three goals in the first half of a World Cup match for only the second time in their history, also doing so against Brazil 🇧🇷 in 1934. Steamroller. pic.twitter.com/Z8gIhdeiiU
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 23, 2022