Saturday, April 20, 2024

Qatar 2022: Costa Rica suffer ignominious World Cup start in 7-0 defeat to Spain

Costa Rica were unable to register a single shot throughout the game, becoming the second country to do so in a World Cup match since 1966,

• November 23, 2022
Spain v Costa Rica
Spain v Costa Rica

Spain began their FIFA World Cup in superlative form on Wednesday, with the 2010 winners of the tournament thrashing Costa Rica 7-0 at the Al-Thumama Stadium to go top of Group E.

Coach Luis Enrique lined up relatively young players upfront, with Barcelona trio of Feran Torres, Gavi and Pedri all making their World Cup debut for Spain in the one-sided encounter.

With five of the seven goals scored being from the players making their FIFA World Cup debut, La Furia Roja dominated from start to finish.

Debutant Dani Olmo scored his first World Cup goal barely eleven minutes into the match when Gavi’s tipped pass struck a Costa Rica defender’s leg, landing on Olmo’s path who then calmly looped the ball past Keylor Navas.

Marcus Asensio doubled the lead in the interval after Navas failed to deal with the shot from the Real Madrid defender. Another debutant Feran Torres extended the lead from the spotkick just on the half hour mark.

Four second half goals including Torres’ second in the match, two debut World Cup goals from Gavi and Carlos Soler and a late goal from Àlvaro Morata sealed a resounding victory for the one-time winners to go top of Group E.

Costa Rica were unable to register a single shot throughout the game, becoming the second country to do so in a World Cup match since 1966, breaking the record set by themselves at 1996 World Cup game against Brazil.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

NationWide

CSO urges politicians to embrace genuine opposition, stop carpet crossing 

Mr Ezenwa said that opposition political parties were meant to be shadow governments, through policy differentiation.

Usman Ododo

States

Kogi governor seeks FG’s help to tackle insecurity, flooding

Mr Ododo said the menace of insecurity and flooding in Kogi could impact other states bordering it if left unaddressed.

Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya

Showbiz

Tinubu hails feat of Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya

The President assured citizens that his administration remained committed to creating and expanding opportunities for the youth.

APC LOGO

Politics

Ondo APC accredited voters flee as violence rocks Okitipupa ward

The accredited members scampered for safety as violence broke out.

Lagos

Lagos moves against illegal estate developers in Epe

Mr Olumide said such investors may also risk losing their property or investment to demolition.