In a match without suspense from the first half hour of play (3-0 for Spain in the 31st minute), La Roja won 7-0 against Costa Rica, a very weak South American nation. of this 2022 World Cup, for the second match of the day in Group E, after Germany 1-2 Japan.
The Tops of Spain-Costa Rica
The Spanish display of the first half
Unlike Germany, who lost against Japan for their entry into the World Cup in Qatar, Spain did not miss their first match of the 2022 World Cup. The formation of Luis Enrique, who does not cannot be based on a star capable of changing a match on her own, must develop a successful collective game to win. This was the case this Wednesday, against Costa Rica, and especially in an almost perfect first half. The statistics leave you dreaming: 85% possession, 573 assists (against 101 for the opponent), 7 shots to 0. In the 31st, Spain already won 3-0, thanks to Dani Olmo (11th), Marco Asensio ( 21st) and Ferran Torres, from the penalty spot. Ultra-dominant, and effective, this Spain of Luis Enrique reminded those nostalgic of the steamroller of La Roja from the period 2008-2012. In the second half, La Roja scored 4 more goals, ahead of a tired and overwhelmed Costa Rican team.
Pedri-Gavi, the Masia at the helm
Luis Enrique trusts young people, and proved it in this first World Cup match, starting Pedri (19) and Gavi (18). The brilliant Barcelonans were decisive in the game, but not necessarily in the statistics (1 goal, no assists for both). Out from the 57th, Pedri gave 3 key passes – passes that lead to a shot -, and was able to steer the game brilliantly, by multiplying the passes (86 in all, for 96.6% successful). More offensive, Gavi, he lit up the match with his ladle for Dani Olmo on the first Spanish goal, before scoring with a superb recovery at ground level in the 74th. Successful debut in the World Cup for young Barcelona.
The good management of Luis Enrique
The Spanish coach, seeing the score be assured from half-time, was able to bring in a few substitutes in second, who were able to participate in the celebration, too. Atlético Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, who saw Luis Enrique prefer Marco Asensio (1 goal) to him in the position of false number 9, came into play in the 57th, to score (90 + 2) and score (Gavi , 74th). Parisian Carlos Soler replaced Pedri and also scored a goal (90th). Good management, which makes it possible to involve a large part of the workforce for the next meetings, during more complicated matches where the bench can unblock situations.
Spain-Costa Rica Flops
The abyssal weakness of Costa Rica
Has a team made a worse impression than Costa Rica at the start of the World Cup? All the teams have not yet played, but the South American nation, the last qualified at the World Cup in Qatar, seemed constantly overwhelmed by Roja. The defense, in particular, was overwhelmingly weak, with non-matches from Francisco Calvo (30, Konyaspor) and Oscar Duarte (33, Al Wehda). Only veteran Bryan Ruyz, who entered in the second period, deceived, thanks to his technique. Opposed to Japan from the next match, Costa Rica must wake up, under penalty of being officially eliminated very quickly from the World Cup – but a 7-0 defeat at the start does not bode well, anyway.
Navas, like the shadow of a doubt
Annoyed by his playing time this season at PSG (0 game played), Keylor Navas (35), who has tackled his coach in the press in recent days, may have given reason to Christophe Galtier to start Gianluigi Donnarumma in Paris , after their match against Spain. Admittedly, the ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper was not helped by an overwhelmed defense from the first to the last minute of play, but the Costa Rican was never decisive, and can be blamed on the second Spaniards goal. On a first intention shot from Marco Asensio in the 21st minute, Keylor Navas’ hands were not strong enough to deflect the ball out of the goal, while the shot was neither overpowered nor shot very close to the goal, nor particularly well placed. In the second half, a disagreement between Keylor Navas and his centrals even allowed Ferran Torres to score his team’s 4th goal in an empty cage. A game to forget for the 35-year-old goalkeeper.
