Doha ∙ Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar, raining goals in the royal rise of the Spanish team. Spain thrashed Costa Rica by seven goals to no contest in what turned out to be a completely one-sided match in Group E. Seven goals were scored by six members of the Spanish team. The double goal of Ferran Torres (31-penalty, 54), Dani Olmo (11), Marco Asensio (21), Gavi (74), Carlos Soler (90), Alvaro Morata (90+2) and the goals of the Spanish army made a huge victory. With this, Spain climbed to the top spot in Group E with three points. Second is Japan who defeated Germany by two goals to one.
It is also Spain’s biggest win in the history of the World Cup. Before this, Spain scored more than five goals in a World Cup match only twice. Spain won 5–1 against Denmark in 1986 and 6–1 against Bulgaria in 1998.
∙ The way the goals came
Spain’s first goal: Spain’s first goal was a series of attacks into the Costa Rican box. Gavi, who has the distinction of being the youngest player to play in the World Cup in the Spanish jersey, started the goal kick. Gavi raised the ball into the box and hit the Costa Rican defensive wall in front of Dani Olmo. The star’s shot went past Keylor Nawaz and into the net. Spain’s 100th goal in the world. Score 1–0.
Spain 2nd goal: Spain extend their lead within 10 minutes. Marco Asensio was the target this time. The Costa Rican defense was largely unmoved when Jordi Alba lifted the ball from the left wing just outside the box. Asensio turned the ball into the net without delay. The ball hit the hands of Nawaz, but the ball went into the net. Score 2–0.
Spain third goal: Within the next 10 minutes, Spain extended their lead to three. This time it was a penalty in favor of Sepa that opened the way to the goal. This time, Jordi Alba is the architect of the goal. Penalty awarded to Spain for Duarte pushing Alba inside the Costa Rican box. Ferran Torres took the kick and found the target with ease. Score 3–0.
Spain’s fourth goal: The only doubt was when Spain would score the fourth goal as it attacked continuously in the second half of the first half. This question was answered in the 54th minute. Once again, the Costa Rican defense’s lack of grip was evident. A defender and goalkeeper Keylor Navas came to block as Ferran Torres raced into the Costa Rican box with the ball. Torres, who defended both of them with his back, immediately cut the shot and hit it into the net. The score was 4-0.
Spain 5th goal: Next up was Gavi’s chance to become the youngest Spanish player to play at the World Cup. As usual, the Costa Rican made a move towards the goal and the ball passed from Alvaro Morata to Gavi. Spain’s youngest ever World Cup goalscorer was born when Gavi received the ball and guided it straight into the net. Score 5–0.
Spain 6th goal: Spain scored the 6th goal in the 90th minute, leaving the Costa Rican defense in shambles as spectators. This time it was the turn of Carlos Soler, who entered the field as a substitute. Keylor Nawaz could not get a hold of Williams’ cross into the box which led to the goal. Soler received the ball in the middle of the box and easily curled the ball into the right corner of the post. Score 6–0.
Spain’s seventh goal: In the second minute of injury time, Spain reached the ‘seventh heaven’ of scoring. Alvaro Morata was the target this time. Morata received the ball from Dani Olvo and fired the ball into the net, making Keylor Navas a spectator. Score 7–0.
English Summary: FIFA World Cup Football, Spain vs Costa Rica