Spain back to their fluent best in perfect World Cup start

Spain’s World Cup winners of 2010 built their triumph on an incessant passing game that left rivals chasing shadows, and their record 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica on Wednesday suggests they are back to their best, with added scoring menace to boot.

While the Central Americans offered little to test the young but already battlehardened Spain side, the way the Reds tore through Costa Rica’s defensive lines with movement and quick-fire exchanges sent a warning to the rest of the teams in Qatar.

Coach Luis Enrique and his players went into their opening Group E match trying to play down expectations, saying Costa Rica were renowned for their stubborn defending.

But just over half an hour into the game at the Al Thumama Stadium, the Costa Ricans had already been blown away and were 3-0 down after goals from Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio and a Ferran Torres penalty.

Enrique gave some of his first-choice players a rest in the second half before their next game on Sunday against Germany who will be desperate for a win after their shock defeat by Japan earlier on Wednesday.

Unfortunately for Costa Rica, the changes did nothing to slow Spain’s rhythm with substitute Alvaro Morata – edged out of the starting side by Asensio – teeing up 18-yearold Gavi’s fine volley before scoring in injury time himself.

A second goal for Torres early in the second half and one for another substitute, Carlos Soler, had already put Spain far out of sight as they racked up their biggest-ever win at the World Cup.

Several members of Spain’s youthful side – their squad is the joint third-youngest in Qatar – had already proved their abilities in 2021 when they were knocked out of the Euros at the semifinals on penalties.

The addition of Gavi, who at 18 is the youngest player to appear for the national side at a World Cup, and others such as Barcelona teammate Ansu Fati, suggest that Enrique is building a new European powerhouse.

Olmo, who got the goals flowing, dismissed suggestions that the result reflected a lack of competitiveness by Costa Rica who fielded several veterans of past campaigns.

“I don’t think it was a question of Costa Rica being bad. It was about our team being strong,” Olmo told reporters.

“I think our team is strong and that is the path that we need to follow. It was a confidence boost for sure.”