Spain 7-0 Costa Rica: Luis Enrique's side lay down a SERIOUS World Cup marker with a sizzling performance in Qatar... with Ferran Torres netting twice and Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio, Gavi, Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata also on target in blitz
- Spain thrashed Costa Rica in one of the most dominant performances seen at a modern World Cup
- Young stars including Gavi and Pedri starred for Spain who threw down the gauntlet to tournament rivals
- Ferran Torres scored twice while Dani Olmo, Marcos Asensio, Gavi, Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata struck
- Costa Rica wilted under relentless pressure and failed to have a shot on goal in the entire match
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
After the shock came the awe. While Japan’s stunning victory over Germany may have been the earthquake, Spain’s beautiful, brutal dismantling of Costa Rica will have sent tremors through Group E - and potentially beyond.
They scored a magnificent seven. It could have been 14. After barely half an hour had been played Luis Enrique’s brilliant young maestros were 3-0 up. The game was out and the Mexican Waves were in.
This is a dynamic young side mixed with a sprinkling of experience, the emphasis placed on the team rather than the individual. A flowing 4-3-3 made in Barcelona was far, far too much for opponents whose presence here itself is a completed mission impossible, having secured their place via a play-off win after winning just one of their opening seven qualifying matches.
![Spain stars celebrate as they thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 to open up their World Cup campaign in the perfect fashion](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64871473-11457977-image-a-71_1669226513991.jpg)
Spain stars celebrate as they thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 to open up their World Cup campaign in the perfect fashion
![Ferran Torres scored twice for Spain in one of the most one-sided World Cup displays seen in modern times of the tournament](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64870319-11457977-image-a-74_1669226877292.jpg)
Ferran Torres scored twice for Spain in one of the most one-sided World Cup displays seen in modern times of the tournament
![Spain boss Luis Enrique acknowledges supporters after seeing his young side rip apart Costa Rica in their Group E clash](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64871571-11457977-image-a-78_1669227022334.jpg)
Spain boss Luis Enrique acknowledges supporters after seeing his young side rip apart Costa Rica in their Group E clash
The problem with the early stages of the World Cup – which will get worse when we are burdened with ludicrous expansion - is that it is often difficult to judge based on the quality of some of the sides in the tournament. Just as we should not be readying Trafalgar Square for a victory parade because England battered Iran, Enrique will not yet be digging out the bunting from 2010’s success on the back of a walk in the palk.
But this was good. Seriously good. Enough to leave Germany – next up to face the Spaniards – contemplating an early Auf Weidersehen..
This is a team of soon-to-be stars. Pedri, of Barcelona, is 19. He has the moves of a shifty, swerving veteran. Enrique already thinks he is the most talented player in the world.
He will have seen nothing here to have moved him from that view. Gavi, another off the Barca conveyor belt, is 18 and became Spain’s youngest participant at a World Cup here, taking Cesc Fabregas’ record.
![It took Spain just over 10 minutes to open the scoring when Dani Olmo clipped a cool finish over the head of Keylor Navas](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64867997-11457977-image-a-80_1669227041491.jpg)
It took Spain just over 10 minutes to open the scoring when Dani Olmo clipped a cool finish over the head of Keylor Navas
![Olmo celebrates his strike that quickly set the tone for Spain would dominate the rest of the Group E match in Doha](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64867991-11457977-image-a-81_1669227047080.jpg)
Olmo celebrates his strike that quickly set the tone for Spain would dominate the rest of the Group E match in Doha
![Just 10 minutes later, Spain doubled their lead through Marco Asensio after he volleyed home from inside the box](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64868547-11457977-image-a-83_1669227051096.jpg)
Just 10 minutes later, Spain doubled their lead through Marco Asensio after he volleyed home from inside the box
He too had a field day in a match that resembled a training ground exercise between a Premier League attack and a Dog and Duck defence.
Olmo started the rout on 11 minutes when he calmly dinked over Keylor Navas at the conclusion of the first of many fluid, gorgeous moves. A goal worthy of marking Spain’s century at World Cups.
The 101st was another treat. Another dreamy tiki-taka exchange dragged Costa Rica from left to right and ended when false nine Asensio clipped Jordi Alba’s cross first-time at Navas, who could only push it into the corner of his own net.
With 25 minutes gone the possession counter read north of 80 per cent.
Spain had already completed 250 passes. Breathless, exhilarating stuff.
Barcelona’s former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres rolled a delicious, deceptive penalty past Navas following a stuttering run up for the third after a desperate Oscar Duarte had felled Alba in the area and that was that.
Beyond half-time the relentless pattern continued to be painted by the artists in red shirts and shorts.
Had Costa Rica retreated any further they would have been in the airport over the road. They may be there soon anyway.
Their fans, silenced almost from the kick-off, may well have left deflated.
![Jordi Alba was brought down inside the penalty area to win a penalty for Spain after a foul from Oscar Duarte (left)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64868905-11457977-image-a-85_1669227065622.jpg)
Jordi Alba was brought down inside the penalty area to win a penalty for Spain after a foul from Oscar Duarte (left)
![Ferran Torres netted his first goal of the night in the 31st minute by sending Navas the wrong way from the penalty spot](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64868891-11457977-image-a-88_1669227070155.jpg)
Ferran Torres netted his first goal of the night in the 31st minute by sending Navas the wrong way from the penalty spot
![Torres then struck again nine minutes after half-time after his hunger inside the box rewarded him with a game killing goal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64870317-11457977-image-a-89_1669227091838.jpg)
Torres then struck again nine minutes after half-time after his hunger inside the box rewarded him with a game killing goal
![Costa Rica became the first team since 1990 not to have a shot on goal in a World Cup finals match - graphic from SofaScore](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64871911-11457977-image-a-103_1669227712817.jpg)
Costa Rica became the first team since 1990 not to have a shot on goal in a World Cup finals match - graphic from SofaScore
They had made up around half the crowd in the 40,000-capacity Al Thumama Stadium, which is designed to resemble traditional headware worn by men across the Middle East. Another one half full (despite an announced attendance of 40,013), the cap could have fit a lot more.
Torres grabbed a second on 54 minutes, capitalising on shoddy work from a shell-shocked defence, before being substituted on a hat-trick and Gavi marked his grand occasion by adding youngest scorer to his accolades with an exquisite volley.
Sub Barragan Carlos Soler made it Spain’s biggest win on the biggest stage, tapping in after Navas, who had a miserable night, could only palm a cross to his feet before Morata helped himself at Costa Rica’s buffet bar.
![Gavi, 18, scored arguably the goal of the night with an expertly hit half-volley on the outside of his boot in the 74th minute](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64870881-11457977-image-a-92_1669227105365.jpg)
Gavi, 18, scored arguably the goal of the night with an expertly hit half-volley on the outside of his boot in the 74th minute
![Gavi put in a commanding performance on a night where he became Spain's youngest player at a World Cup finals](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64870879-11457977-image-a-93_1669227107856.jpg)
Gavi put in a commanding performance on a night where he became Spain's youngest player at a World Cup finals
Enrique’s side will face tougher opponents, who may well muster a shot on goal.
They will also welcome back a fully-fit Morata and Daniel Carvajal, who bizarrely missed out on starting spots here after picking up colds thanks to the air conditioning at their hotel.
Good luck, Germany.
![In the final minute of regulation time Carlos Soler came off the bench to fire home Spain's sixth goal as he celebrates](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64871347-11457977-image-a-96_1669227140323.jpg)
In the final minute of regulation time Carlos Soler came off the bench to fire home Spain's sixth goal as he celebrates
![There was also time for another sub in Alvaro Morata (centre) to add a seventh goal deep into the eight added minutes](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64871405-11457977-image-a-98_1669227148662.jpg)
There was also time for another sub in Alvaro Morata (centre) to add a seventh goal deep into the eight added minutes
![The scoreline was a fair reflection of the on-field play with Costa Rica hardly offering any form of attack on Spain's goal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64871579-11457977-image-a-99_1669227157000.jpg)
The scoreline was a fair reflection of the on-field play with Costa Rica hardly offering any form of attack on Spain's goal
![Morata consoles the Costa Rica keeper Navas after the Group E contest which already leaves Costa Rica on the brink of exit](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/18/64871589-11457977-image-a-101_1669227176632.jpg)
Morata consoles the Costa Rica keeper Navas after the Group E contest which already leaves Costa Rica on the brink of exit
RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION AS IT HAPPENED...
Follow Sportsmail's live blog for the World Cup Group E clash between Spain and Costa Rica.
90+7min: No goals and no shots but there is a yellow card for former Arsenal forward Joel Campbell. Meanwhile Soler fires just wide.
90+5min: There are eight additional minutes by the way. Spain may not even be done here...
90+3min: Honestly, Spain are not even trying and they are still scoring! A one-two on the edge of the box sees Alvaro Morata slot home the seventh.
90min: Even the subs are in on the act now, Carlos Soler slotting home inside the box after Costa Rica fail to clear their lines.
84min: Bryan Oviedo makes way for Ronald Matarrita - as Costa Rica's sorry night edges to an end.
81min: Less than 10 minutes to go and Costa Rica are yet to have a shot on goal. This hasn't happened to any side at a World Cup finals since 1990... and it was Cosa Rica again then against Brazil.
78min: Even with the tiki-taka side Spain never scored five goals at a World Cup, this is the first time they have done that since World Cup '98 when they hammered Bulgaria 6-1... and still went out on the same night.
75min: AHHH what a goal! The chance looks to have gone after Keylor Navas forces Morata wide, but instead he chips a pass to Gavi on the edge of the box who on the half-volley with the outside of the boot finds the bottom corner with the added satisfaction of the ball bouncing off the post. Perfection from Spain's youngest ever player at the World Cup finals.
72min: Costa Rica turn back to the kids as teenager Brandon Aguilera comes on for Celso Borges.
68min: Spain's fifth and final swap sees Marco Asensio depart in favour of Nico Williams. Exhibition stuff on the pitch by the way. Spain are just looking to get through this second half with minimal effort as they continue to pass the ball around with ease.
67min: Here is why Spain are making the changes now - challenges like this. Francisco Calvo goes in wildly with a lunge and picks up the game's first yellow card
64min: As Alvaro Morata fires wide, it's another double change for Spain as Alejandro Balde and Koke replace the old heads and legs of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. Leave it to the kids now, they'll be fine.
61min: Double change for Costa Rica as Alvaro Zamora and former Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz come on to replace Jewison Bennette and Anthony Contreras
57min: Ferran Torres is on a hat-trick... he won't get it though, as he has been wrapped up ready for the Germany game to be replaced by Alvaro Morata. Carlos Soler is also on replacing Pedri.
54min: It's just too easy. Spain's quick passing sees them take advantage of the space they are given inside the box, and despite Ferran Torres losing the ball, his hunger to get it back allows him to then spin on the ball and fire home his second goal.
51min: Not too sure how Costa Rica should approach this game now. It's too early to abandon ship in the chase for points, yet they are second best in just about every area of the pitch and cannot afford to be slapped for something like six goals - especially with goal difference a major factor at the World Cup when teams are level on points.
48min: Even with experience in the backline now, Spain are still finding the gaps. Marco Asensio firing just over the crossbar.
And Costa Rica already make a change... bringing on a defender! You're 3-0 down, lads!
The 34-year-old Kendall Waston comes on to replace Carlos Martinez.
EA: '(On the first half) Absolutely dominant from Spain. Costa Rica haver got nowhere near Spain. There’s no pressure on Spain’s players. Costa Rica have been so so poor. We thought they would be defensively solid and counter attack but they haven’t done that.'
GS: '(On Costa Rica’s performance/tactics) If you watch Asensio’s goal and you’re Spanish then you’ll love it. But there’s no one near him. His goal and finish is not an easy goal. Goalkeeper [Keylor Navas] should’ve done better. I’m amazed at Costa Rica’s attempt to take on a good football team. Look at Saudi’s aggression (vs Argentina) yesterday – they haven’t showed that against Spain. They’ve been passive and that’s unacceptable.'
I mean, this isn't even a contest... Spain have dominated that first half and their duo of Gavi and Pedri have been given the Spanish side some Teenage Kicks that Costa Rica just cannot handle.
With my England head on, I'm a little bit worried by how good they look. They look a major threat.
45+5min: It's been a while since Spain had a shot actually, they do get another chance before the break but from a tightish angle Asensio gets it a bit wrong and fires poorly wide.
45+1min: Five added minutes, all probably coming from the Spain's celebrations to be honest. There's not been many fouls and very little stoppages.
43min: Spain appear to have taken mercy on Costa Rica - they have come off the gas in the last 10 minutes or so. Not that they have gone careless, it's just a less intense tiki-taka game they are playing.
With good reason by the way - he has been superb in this game.
37min: Spain have had over 75 per cent of the ball by the way. It's such a one-sided contest - I still don't think Costa Rica have had an attack. There's being the underdog in a match and then there is this. They will have to do better in the second half than the performance they have put in so far.
34min: You know a game is well and truly over when the Mexican Wave starts and that's what is exactly going on around the ground now - quite impressive really given there are quite a few empty seats.
31min: Just over half-an-hour gone and Spain have this in the bag - Ferran Torres's hop, skip and a jump penalty sending Navas the wrong way to all but end this match. Costa Rica haven't even turned up yet.
And now Spain have a penalty - a clear one too as Jordi Alba is clumsily brought down in the box.
24min: I believe those opening goals have brought Spain's 100th goal at the World Cup finals. The way they are playing right now it won't be long before they add to them. Only England over Iran can match this domination so far.
21min: Spain are flying! A ball out wide to the left is effortlessly swept into the box by Jordi Alba before with one touch Marco Asensio swings a left foot at it to beat Keylor Navas - who maybe perhaps could have done better there. No matter Spain are 2-0 up and fully deserve it.
18min: One way traffic. I don't think Costa Rica have had a worthwhile kick in the Costa Rica half yet.
I know Saudi Arabia and Japan trailed but Spain have started like a train to the point I will already be stunned if they do not go on to win from here. They look at it.
12min: It's been coming. Gavi's clever chip takes a slight deflection as it finds Dani Olmo inside the box who holds off a defender and controls the ball before poking past Navas.
9min: Spain are tearing Costa Rica a new one right now - the central Americans just cannot get the ball.
Pedri's shot is diverted towards goal by Marco Asensio but it just drifts wide beyond the diving Keylor Navas who I am not certain had it covered.
6min: Spain should be ahead. A cracking ball is floated to the back post from deep but Dani Olmo's across the target zips wide. Not the easiest of chances but it's certainly an excellent opportunity to break the deadlock.
3min: It was something that I had suspicions of when the teams were made but it does appear Manchester City midfielder Rodri is playing centre-back for the first time today - alongside his club team-mate Aymeric Laporte. It's his 35th cap for Spain too. Odd time to experiment isn't it, Luis Enrique?
Here is a reminder of how the teams line-up:
Spain: Simon, Azpilicueta, Rodri, Laporte, Jordi Alba, Gavi, Busquets, Gonzalez, Ferran Torres, Asensio, Olmo.
Subs: Sanchez, Garcia, Pau Torres, Llorente, Morata, Koke, Williams, Raya, Balde, Guillamon, Pino, Carlos Soler, Carvajal, Sarabia, Fati.
Costa Rica: Navas, Martinez, Fuller, Duarte, Calvo, Oviedo, Campbell, Borges, Tejeda, Bennette, Contreras.
Subs: Chacon, Vargas, Ruiz, Venegas, Torres, Salas, Alvarado, Waston, Aguilera, Lopez, Matarrita, Sequeira, Wilson, Hernandez, Zamora.
Referee: Mohammed Abulla Hassan Mohamed (United Arab Emirates)
Players observe the national anthems - Spain silent through their anthem, though of course they have good reason for that. There are no words to it...
KIERAN LYNCH: Costa Rica head to Qatar for the World Cup desperately hoping to repeat their heroics from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Eight years ago, the country in Central America went into the 'Group of Death' - consisting of England, Italy and Uruguay - with everyone expecting that they would be one of the first teams eliminated from the competition.
However, they were the surprise package of the tournament, grabbing victories over Italy and Uruguay and holding England to a goalless draw to win their group.
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No surprise to see ex-Arsenal forward Joel Campbell start for Costa Rica - Sportsmail's SAM BROOKES took a look recently as Costa Rica's talisman.
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Argentina yesterday, Germany today - both have suffered shock defeats but the latter has a direct effect on this group.
Spain in particular will be licking their lips at this result after seeing their supposed chief rivals in Group E slip to defeat.
Don't these things come in threes though?
Read below for more
Navas, Fuller, Durate, Oviedo, Calvo, Martinez, Borges, Bennette, Campbell, Tejeda, Contreras
The Argentina curse may have struck Germany too. They took a 1-0 lead, but it's since gone a bit pear-shaped for one of the tournament favourites...
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Loving their midfield of Pedri and Gavi being held by the experience of Sergio Busquets. Can the likes of Dani Olmo , Ferran Torres, Marco Asensio profit from those young stars though?
Unai; Azpilicueta, Rodri, Laporte, Alba, Busquets, Gavi, Pedri; Ferran, Asensio, Olmo
Something appears to have caught the Spain manager's attention - and he doesn't look too pleased about it either.
Maybe someone has told him about the shinpads?
JULIAN BOVILL: In August 2019, Luis Enrique announced the death of his nine-year-old daughter after five-month battle with cancer.
So began Enrique, one of the most talented players of his Spanish generation, and his wife’s, Elena Cullell, toughest battle of their lives.
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I am assuming they are pictures of him and his family on there and while I understand his thought process here - not too sure I would want pictures of loved ones on part of football equipment designed to be kicked.
The World Cup winning goalkeeper from 2010 has asked his legion of Twitter followers how they think Spain will get on today. The answer is quite conclusive...
(69 per cent back the win (Victoria) for those of you who have no time for Twitter)
We are still waiting for teams to arrive though, despite Costa Rica's backroom team having all things covered with the match kit already hanging in the changing room.
When was the last time you didn't see Spain at the World Cup? The tournament held in West Germany in 1974 is your answer - and they have only ever missed six editions.
If it wasn't for England though they would be seen as one of the World Cup's biggest underachievers. They made the most of the talented team to take deserved glory in South Africa in 2010 but apart from that year they have NEVER reached a World Cup semi-final.
That fourth place from 1950 was from a group stage final round for those of you now looking this stuff up.
The Al Thumama Stadium will be hosting its second game of the tournament having already been the venue for Holland's late double to defeat Senegal 2-0 on day two. It will be 7pm local time by the time this one gets underway so no concerns over the heat.
Is that a supporter I can see already in the stands there?
Costa Rica are starting to become part of the furniture at the World Cup despite only having one appearance before the year 2000. Only in South Africa in 2010 have they failed to reach the finals in recent years, but they do tend to go out in the group stage.
They were though one of the surprise packages at the 2014 edition in Brazil having incredibly topped a group including England, Italy and Uruguay (beating the latter two).
They went on to also defeat Greece on penalties before the shoot-out fortune went against them in the quarter-finals when they nearly caused another shock in eliminating Holland.
They did though leave Brazil 2014 having not lost any of their five games.
This group gets underway in a few seconds, so let's take one final look at the group guide where Spain will be favourites to progress along with Germany.
It's up to Japan or Costa Rica to spring the shocks.
There are no 'lads, it's Costa Rica' stuff going on here. The matchplan has already been given to the Spain stars in this pre-match meeting. I wonder what it consisted of?
Highlights from the 2014 World Cup might be a good place to start. Costa Rica were mega at that tournament.
There have only been three previous meetings between the teams - all coming in the last 11 years.
Spain are so far undefeated with the then world champions held to a 2-2 back in 2011 having scored two late goals, before winning the next two friendlies 2-1 and 5-0.
The most recent clash from five years ago in Malaga saw goals from Jordi Alba, Alvaro Morata, Andres Iniesta and a David Silva brace.
Today's match marks their first ever competitive meeting.
When Lionel Messi left Barcelona in the summer of 2021 the club’s fans wanted the No 10 shirt retired in his honour. One of their arguments was: who would want to wear it now anyway?
Step forward Spain striker Ansu Fati, who was only 18 at the time.
The club had offered the No 10 to Sergio Aguero but he did not want it. They offered it to Philippe Coutinho but he turned it down. Then they turned to Fati and his response was: ‘Speak to the club captains. If it’s OK with them then I’ll take it.’
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The four games per day run goes on - and damn well done to any of you who haven't missed a minute so far. Even three would test my limits at recent World Cups and I live and breathe these things.
We are all about Spain vs Costa Rica here but also in Group E today is Germany vs Japan, which kicks off in just over 30 minutes, and you can follow live on this link with WILLIAM PICKWORTH.
We've already had one group game today... but we are not exactly off to the best of starts with Morocco playing out a drab draw with the 2018 finalists.
Read the match report below
No team is safe now after Saudi Arabia's stunning win over Argentina yesterday, so can Costa Rica now spring a shock against Spain?
Good afternoon all and welcome to our live coverage of all the action of this World Cup Group E opener.
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