2010 World Cup Champions Spain verified their credentials as a genuine contender for the 2022 title, after mauling Costa 7-0 to open their Group E fixture in Qatar on Thursday.
Spain who has one of the youngest attacking units in the tournament demonstrated maturity years beyond their age as they wreaked havoc on bewildered-looking Costa Rican team.
The demolition started as early as the 11th minute as 24-year-old Dani Olmo opened the scoring in the 11th minute before Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio doubled Spain’s tally 10 minutes later for a confident start.
As much as Costa Rican attempted to recover their some amount of composure the Barcelona pair of Ferran Torres and Gavi continued the Spanish tournament with three goals between them.
22-year-old Torres, bagged a brace in the 31st and 54th minutes to compound Costa Rica’s worries before Gavi, 18, made it five in the 74th minute, to become Spain’s youngest ever to score at a World Cup and second youngest in history -behind Brazil legend Pele at 17 years old.
PSG striker Carlos Soler and Atletico Madrid forward, Alvaro Morata netted in the 90th and 92nd to deliver the widest margin of victory thus far eclipsing England’s 6-2 routing of Iran on Monday (November 21).
Spain is next set to face Germany on Sunday. Germany is currently third in the group after being upset by Japan 2-1 on Wednesday.
