Move over Pele, Gavi is here
Gavi, 18, announced himself on the global stage with a brilliant volley as Spain produced a sparkling passing performance to outclass Costa Rica 7-0 and start their World Cup in sensational style.
Ferran Torres scored twice in what was a stroll from start to finish for the 2010 champions.
But the pick of their seven goals was Gavi’s outstanding volleyed finish, with the Barcelona teenager using the outside of his foot to steer a dropping ball home via the post and become the youngest World Cup goalscorer since Pele.
He became the youngest goal scorer in the World Cup.
This has been a tournament full of surprises, with Spain’s Group E rivals Germany the latest victims with their late defeat by Japan earlier on Wednesday, but there was never a hint of another shock happening here.
“We were superb in every aspect of the game and I like the fact we dominated from the first whistle,” Luis Enrique said.
“It was very special; everything went well.”
La Roja were completely dominant from the start, with Costa Rica unable to live with their pace, movement and precision when they came forward.
Gavi is the youngest man to play for Spain at a World Cup and his goal made him the youngest goalscorer at a finals since Brazilian Pele in 1958.
The way he took it was wortwhy of the legend mentioned in that statistic, and capped a display which was mature beyond his years.
He was not the only young Spanish player to dazzle either, with 19-yearold Pedri also enjoying an outstanding evening in midfield.
Costa Rica were hugely disappointing but also barely had a kick, managing only 231 passes to 1043 from Spain, while failing to register a single effort at goal.
Spain had lost their opening matches at the past three World Cups, including in 2010 when they went on to win the tournament.