Spain shredded Costa Rica 7-0 on Wednesday in a brutal destruction of their Group E opener which launched their bid to raise a second World Cup. Avoiding the destiny of giants Argentina and group rivals Germany, who misplaced 2-1 to Japan earlier on, Luis Enrique’s fancied facet sparkled at Doha’s Al Thumama Stadium, dominating possession and taking their possibilities mercilessly. Ferran Torres netted twice and Marco Asensio, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata had been additionally on the scoresheet for the Euro 2020 semi-finalists in an emphatic romp.

In the previous the 2010 World Cup winners have paid the worth for profligacy however all three forwards Luis Enrique chosen netted within the first half to pay again his belief in them.

The coach positioned Asensio at false 9, flanked by Olmo and Torres, beginning with Morata and Ansu Fati on the bench.

The coach opted to deploy Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernandez in central defence, alongside membership team-mate Aymeric Laporte, accurately anticipating his workforce would monopolise the ball.

It took solely 11 minutes for La Roja to open the scoring, with Gavi stabbing a move ahead for Olmo to obtain within the space and the RB Leipzig winger taking one chic contact to show and one other to stroke the ball gently previous Keylor Navas.

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Costa Rica, who had been a shock package deal on the 2014 World Cup, beating Italy and Uruguay and drawing with England to high their group, had been sliced aside once more for the second purpose 10 minutes later.

Jordi Alba‘s low drilled cross was rammed house by Real Madrid ahead Asensio previous his former team-mate Navas, who might need executed extra to maintain it out.

Torres stroked house from the penalty spot after Alba was fouled by Oscar Duarte –- a comfortable name on a tough evening for Los Ticos, who had been by no means within the recreation and did not muster a shot at purpose.

Barcelona ahead Torres capitalised on extra slack defending to fireplace the fourth previous Navas early within the second half.

Luis Enrique was in a position to take off the bubbling Pedri and Torres earlier than the hour mark so as to relaxation them for Sunday’s conflict with Germany, and handed teenage Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde his debut.

The 19-year-old roared up the pitch within the build-up to Spain’s fifth purpose, with substitute Morata crossing for Gavi to drill house with aplomb.

Kopa Trophy winner Gavi grew to become the third youngest goalscorer at a World Cup at 18 years and 110 days outdated, after Mexico’s Manuel Rosas and document holder Pele.

Soler and Morata then obtained in on the act with stoppage-time strikes to pile additional distress on Costa Rica and assist Spain flex their muscle groups in an ideal opening match in Qatar.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)

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