Echoes of history as teen scores
Not since Pele´ in 1958 had someone as young as Gavi scored a goal at the World Cup.
The 18-year-old midfielder led the way yesterday as Spain pulled off the biggest World Cup victory in its history, routing Costa Rica 7-0.
“I could never have imagined it,” said Gavi, who was named the game’s most valuable player. “I know I’m the youngest in the team and I respect everyone, but on the field it’s different and I bring out my best.”
Pele´ scored two goals in the 1958 final, when Brazil beat Sweden 5-2.
“I’m proud to be in that podium,” Gavi said.
“Not even in my dreams I had imagined this.”
While he only managed to score once, his teammates added plenty of others. Not long after Japan had surprised Germany 2-1 in the other Group E match, Spain’s young squad avoided any chance of an upset with Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio and Ferran Torres scoring a goal each in the first half.
Torres, Gavi, Carlos Soler and A´ lvaro Morata added to the lead in the second half.
In addition to Gavi’s mark, Olmo’s goal was the 100th at World Cups for “La Roja,” which became the sixth nation to score more than 100 times in the tournament.
It was the first time Spain scored seven goals in a World Cup match, and the first time a team completed 1000 passes in a 90-minute game at the tournament.
“Our only goal is to control the game continuously, and to do that you need to have the ball,” Spain coach Luis Enrique told AP.
With Gavi and 19-year-old Pedri starting, Spain also became the first European nation with two teenagers in the starting lineup of a World Cup match in 60 years.